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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 Dame Carol Colburn-Grigor CBE through Metal Manufactures Limited
Physical description
On low foot (Pringsheim 65)-the leap of Marcus Curtius.