Guido Reni, 1575 – 1642, Replik des ausgehenden 17. Jahrhunderts

THE SUICIDE OF PORCIA Oil on canvas. Doubled. 83.5 x 69.5 cm. In a magnificent frame. The beautiful Porcia, daughter of Cato and wife of Brutus, who took her own life after the murder of Caesar by her husband, is depicted against a dark background in half-length portrait, her body turned to the right, her head and shining eyes turned to the upper left. She is wearing a white undergarment and a blue overgarment. On her head is a valuable turban with a brooch and gold embroidery. Her face and incarnation are theatrically illuminated from above by an invisible light source. In front of her, standing on a slab, is a basin with glowing coals. In her right hand she holds a pair of tongs to grasp the coals and swallow several, tragically ending her life. The composition also follows a painting of the same subject by Pierre Mignard the Elder (1612-1695), which is now in the Rennes Museum. (1400361) (18)