According to Roman historical tradition, Lucretia was a noblewoman who, because of her beauty, was raped by one of the king’s sons. The shame made her commit suicide. The event triggered an uprising that led to the creation of the Roman Republic. Cranach the Elder returned to the subject a number of times. The sensually depicted Lucretia appears to be tempting and moralizing at the same time. The painting was in Gustav Vasa’s possession.