The Sacrifice of Marcus Curtius
1640s
Medium
black chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
Overall: 18.1 x 28.9 cm (7 1/8 x 11 3/8 in.) support: 26 x 37.3 cm (10 1/4 x 14 11/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Accession Number
1984.45.1
Art Historical Context
Franz Cleyn’s drawing, *The Sacrifice of Marcus Curtius*, offers a compelling glimpse into 17th-century draftsmanship. Created in the 1640s with black chalk on laid paper, the work measures just over 7 by 11 inches, making it an intimate study that close viewing. The medium allows for delicate lines and rich tonal modeling, enabling Cleyn to suggest movement and depth on a modest scale while the larger support sheet provides a protective border typical of old-master drawings. As a preparatory work, this piece reflects the central role drawings played in an artist’s process during the Baroque ...