Mucius Scaevola 1671 - 1738

This pen and ink drawing by Hendrik Krock depicts the story of Mucius Scaevola, a Roman hero who, in an attempt to assassinate the Etruscan king Porsenna, thrust his hand into a fire to prove his bravery and commitment to Rome. The detailed, almost agitated, style of the drawing captures the dramatic moment, with the figures of Scaevola and Porsenna at the center of the composition. Created sometime between 1671 and 1738, this drawing is a testament to Krock’s skill in depicting historical scenes with a focus on the dramatic and emotional impact of the story. The work is currently housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, Denmark.