Supporting museums Art we've helped buy Relief of Mucius Scaevola
Relief of Mucius Scaevola Relief of Mucius Scaevola
© National Galleries of Scotland

Relief of Mucius Scaevola

Giovanni Maria Mosca

Art Funded
1989
Dimensions
34 x 21 cm
Vendor
Daniel Katz Ltd
The relief is thought to be part of a group of tablets which represent human virtues.

The subject is taken from Livy 2: 12-13. Caius Mucius, a young Roman noble, penetrated the Etruscan camp in 507BC but instead of assassinating the King of the Etruscans, he killed the King's aide by mistake. To show the guards how cheaply he valued his life he thrust his right hand into the flames. The King was impressed and let him go. Scaevola means left-handed.

Provenance

The Duke of Leeds; Christie's, 7/7/87, lot 135; Katz.

Marble

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Scottish National Gallery

The Mound, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH2 2EL
0131 624 6200
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Daily, 10am –​ 5pm (until 7pm Thur) Extended opening until 6pm during August

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