Artwork Page for Mucius Scaevola

Details / Information for Mucius Scaevola

Mucius Scaevola

1608

Andrea Andreani

(Italian, about 1558–1610)

after Balthasar Peruzzi

(Italian, 1481–1536)
Culture
Italy, 17th century
Medium
chiaroscuro woodcut
Credit Line
Gift of Ralph King 1925.47
Catalogue raisonné
Bartsch XII.98.7
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This chiaroscuro woodcut in two blocks of greenish gray and black was printed after a drawing by Baldassarre Peruzzi. It displays Gaius Mucius Cordus, a youth who saved Rome from the siege ordered by the Etruscan king Lars Porsena in c. 509 BC. The legendary hero was caught while sneaking into the Etruscan camp in an attempt to assassinate Porsena. In this print, Mucius is thrusting his hand into a fire lit for sacrifice to demonstrate his bravery and endurance to torture. Without giving any sign of pain, Mucius earned for himself the nickname "Scaevola" (left-handed), and was freed by his enemy.
A vertically oriented woodcut print in shades of brown and tan depicts a soldier in Roman armor thrusting his hand into flames atop a decorated cylindrical altar. To our left, a crowned king sits on a throne supported by a winged sphinx. Behind them, multiple soldiers hold long, vertical spears. In the distance, a hilly landscape with small buildings sits under a bare tree. A relief panel decorates the lower-left corner.

Mucius Scaevola

1608

Andrea Andreani, Balthasar Peruzzi

(Italian, about 1558–1610), (Italian, 1481–1536)
Italy, 17th century

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