Luca Giordano ((1634-1705), Rape of the Sabine Women, c.1680, Oil on canvas, 285 × 366 cm. Palazzo Spinola, Genoa
According to the historian Titus Livius (Livy, 59 BC – 17 AD), Romulus orchestrated the abduction of the Sabine women to ensure a population for the city of Rome, which he had only just established. In Giordano’s works, this dramatic moment is rendered with vivid theatricality, capturing the desperation and conflict that marked the founding of Rome.
This popular theme resonated with artists of Giordano’s time, appealing for its complex interplay of aggression and unification. It offered a pseudo-historical and moral narrative, symbolising the sacrifices linked to the birth of Roman civilisation and the blending of cultures—concepts that deeply resonated with audiences of the Baroque era. The composition’s forceful, dynamic qualities reflect the period’s artistic emphasis on movement and emotional intensity, essential in Baroque iconography.
In the early 19th century, the painting underwent a significant alteration to reflect the era’s increasing religious conservatism; the female figures were repainted to cover their nudity. This modification was later removed during restoration, restoring Giordano’s original portrayal.
