Marcus Curtius Plunging Into the Chasm
Original title: Marcus Curtius Plunging Into the Chasm
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder depicts the Roman hero Marcus Curtius plunging with his horse into a chasm to save Rome in this undated woodcut. Measuring 33.6 × 23.6 cm, the sheet combines the ancient legend with the visual language of the Renaissance.
Description
A rider on a rearing horse dominates the foreground, accompanied by two figures in dynamic poses. A sumptuous pavilion with a domed roof and columns rises in the middle ground, with more people to either side. Trees, rocks, and parts of a castle close off the view, while birds fly in formation above the pavilion. Black and white and clear, detailed lines define the entire sheet.
Context
The print was probably made in the 1520s, when Cranach was working in Wittenberg as court painter to the Saxon electors. The motif goes back to the Roman legend in Livy, which was often taken up in Humanism and the Renaissance. Such woodcuts frequently served to illustrate historical works or as single sheets for an educated public.
Impact
Dynamism arises from the movement of the horse and figures and from the contrast-rich black-and-white values. The detailed architecture and landscape give the scene monumental depth and underscore the heroic act.
Technique
Lines and hatching in the woodcut shape the motif and create tonal values. Fine draughtsmanship and precise reproduction of detail attest to Cranach's craftsmanship and the quality of the print.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)