Marcus Curtius

1983. Oil on canvas. 99x138” / 251x350.5cm. Private collection

According to Livy’s History of Rome (VII,6) a great chasm opened in the centre of Rome and could be closed only by throwing in the city’s greatest treasure. To save the city, Marcus Curtius sacrificed himself by plunging fully armed on horseback into the chasm (on the grounds that the selfless courage of the brave citizen was Rome’s greatest asset).

For a discussion of this painting see Finding the Figure in the Landscape by Tony Godfrey. See also the Marcus Curtius drawing and paintings by Bachiacca in the reserve collection of the National Gallery London and by Benjamin Robert Haydon in the Royal Albert Museum Exeter.

Studio portrait of the artist in 1982 by Bruce Bernard.