Marcus Curtius Leaping into the Chasm 1734 - 1802

Gaetano Gandolfi made this drawing, *Marcus Curtius Leaping into the Chasm*, using graphite and perhaps a touch of black chalk, on paper. The rapid strokes suggest a mind working quickly. But don't mistake this for mere spontaneity! Gandolfi would have been thoroughly trained in the academies of his day. The hatching is very controlled, especially in the defining of the horse's musculature. This would have taken hours of repetitive practice. Consider, too, that paper itself was an expensive luxury in the 18th century, especially in this relatively large format. It was made from pulped linen rags, in a labor-intensive process. Gandolfi would not have wasted a sheet like this; it must have been intended for an important project. So, while this drawing may seem loose and free, it is actually the product of considerable labor and expense. And that is an essential part of its beauty.