Mucius Scaevola Burning off his Hand before Porcenna 1500 - 1600

This anonymous drawing from the 16th century, "Mucius Scaevola Burning off his Hand before Porcenna", depicts a scene from Roman history. Mucius Scaevola, a Roman soldier, attempts to assassinate Lars Porsena, the Etruscan king. After failing to reach Porsena, he plunges his hand into a burning brazier to demonstrate his courage. The drawing, created with pen and brown ink, is a powerful example of the Renaissance interest in historical narratives and Roman antiquity. It is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.