Marcus Curtius stort zich in een kloof 1535

This 1535 engraving by Georg Pencz depicts a scene from Roman legend. Marcus Curtius, a Roman soldier, is seen leaping into a chasm that has opened in the Roman Forum on horseback, with the inscription "MARCVS CURTIVS" at the top of the artwork. This act of self-sacrifice was believed to have saved Rome from destruction, as the gods were appeased by his courage. Pencz's work captures the dramatic moment with precise detail and dynamic composition, a hallmark of Renaissance-era engravings. The print is currently held at the Rijksmuseum.