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Mucius Scaevola

1608
(Italian, about 1558–1610)
(Italian, 1481–1536)
Italy, 17th century
chiaroscuro woodcut
Gift of Ralph King 1925.47
Catalogue raisonné: Bartsch XII.98.7
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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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.
Mucius Scaevola

Mucius Scaevola

1608

Andrea Andreani, Balthasar Peruzzi

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

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