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The leap of Marcus Curtius, bowl
(c. 1525)
Medium
earthenware (maiolica)
Measurements
4.6 × 25.0 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1940
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
Valerius Maximus relates the tale, well known in the Renaissance, of Marcus Curtius. One day a chasm opened up in the Forum in ancient Rome. An oracle said that the chasm would only close if whatever was most precious to Rome was thrown into it. Curtius, a young nobleman, reasoned that Rome had nothing more precious than its valiant young men; he rode his horse into the chasm, which duly closed up. A popular subject with maiolica painters, this tale stressed civic duty.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Faenza, Italy
Accession Number
4671-D3
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
On low foot (Pringsheim 65)-the leap of Marcus Curtius.