Caius Mucius Scaevola and Porsena
Felice Giani, Italian, 1758â1823
1800â1820
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-2257
About this artwork
In an enormous courtyard, Mucius, in left foreground, thrusts his right hand into the flame of a brazier, while pointing with his left at Porsena who sits upon a throne. The stabbed officer, supported by a soldier, lies beside him, while a group of soldiers stands to the left, and the king's treasurer stands a table at right foreground.