This is part of our Shakespeare's Women series in partnership with the education team over at Blogging Shakespeare. On flickr we have created a collection around these wonderful ladies.
The scene portrayed in this painting is one of the most shocking in any of Shakespeare's plays. The play is Titus Andronicus, and Lavinia is being carried away to be brutally raped. Her murdered husband lies dead at her feet. She appeals to another woman, Tamora, to intervene on her behalf, but Tamora ignores her pleas.