Domenico Beccafumi – Tanaquil Part 2 National Gallery UK

The composition presents a solitary female figure set against a landscape backdrop that recedes into atmospheric perspective. She stands in profile, her gaze directed outward and slightly upward, conveying a sense of melancholy or perhaps resigned acceptance. The artist has rendered her with an idealized beauty; her skin is pale, her hair a cascade of golden curls adorned with a simple band. A flowing purple drape partially obscures her shoulders, adding a touch of elegance while also suggesting vulnerability.
The figure’s attire consists of a long, olive-green gown belted at the waist with a sash that echoes the color of the drape. Her sandals indicate a certain informality or perhaps a symbolic rejection of ostentation. In her left hand, she holds a dark tablet inscribed with Latin text; its presence is central to understanding the work’s narrative implications. The inscription appears to be a lament, a written expression of grief and loss. A single strand of red thread connects the tablet to her outstretched right hand, visually linking her sorrowful message to her own person.
The landscape behind her contributes significantly to the overall mood. Bare trees dominate the middle ground, their branches reaching towards a muted sky. The presence of birds in flight suggests freedom or perhaps an escape from confinement. A crumbling stone structure is visible on the right side, hinting at decay and the passage of time. The lower portion of the composition is dominated by a dark, undefined space that serves to isolate the figure and emphasize her solitude.
Subtleties within the painting suggest themes of loss, remembrance, and the power of written expression. The tablet’s inscription implies a narrative rooted in historical or mythological context – a story of suffering and lamentation. The red thread acts as a visual metaphor for connection – linking the woman to her grief and to the audience through the shared experience of sorrow. The figures posture and gaze suggest an internal struggle, a quiet dignity in the face of adversity. The muted color palette reinforces the somber tone, while the idealized depiction of the woman elevates her suffering to a level of universal significance.