Marcus Curtius springt in de kloof 1595 - 1612

This etching by Willem van Swanenburg depicts the Roman hero Marcus Curtius, on horseback, riding into a chasm. The scene is a popular subject in art, symbolizing courage and sacrifice for one's country. The detailed engraving, completed between 1595 and 1612, showcases van Swanenburg's mastery of the medium and his ability to render dramatic movement, evident in the horse's rearing pose and the flowing drapery of Curtius's armor. This print, which is now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to the power of art to depict heroic stories and evoke emotional responses from viewers.