Two Warriors on Horseback: Titus Manlius Torquatus and Marcus Curtius (after Hendrik Goltzius)
German School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1500 - 1599
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
668 x 632 mm
Place of origin
Germany
Order this imageCollection
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
NT 355581
Caption
These two warriors and their background setting are taken from prints by Hendrik Goltzius (Mühlbracht 1558–Haarlem 1617) of c.1586. The copies are simplified, but are faithful to the basic composition of the horse-and-rider figure groups, and the details of costume and accoutrements. The activity in the middle ground of the image of Marcus Curtius shows the same rider plunging with his horse into the chasm which opened up in the Forum, as related by Livy in his ‘History of Rome’ (2.12). The artist has transformed the Roman Forum into a contemporary northern European townscape. In the depiction of Titus Manlius, the vignette in the middle ground shows Titus Manlius a second time as the victorious warrior, preparing to deal the final blow to his Sardinian enemy. It is conceivable that the panel with its two groups may have originally formed part of a decorative scheme in an interior, and that it might once have been inset into panelling.
Summary
Oil painting on panel (diptych), Diptych of Two Warriors on Horseback Titus Manlius Torquatus and Marcus Curtius (after Hendrik Goltzius), German School, 16th century. One panel framed as two pictures. Marcus Curtius as a background figure appears to be the subject of one of the scenes, with possibly St George in the other. Possibly this panel, featuring giant equestrian soldiers, formed part of the decoration of a room, the panel being inset and not as at present in a frame.
Provenance
Bequeathed with the hall and contents by Philip,11th Marquess of Lothian (1882-1940)
Credit line
Blickling Hall, The Lothian Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
German School, artist after Hendrik Goltzius (Mulbrecht 1558 – Haarlem 1617)., artist