473978 Marcus Curtius (pencil & w/c on paper) by Martin, John (1789-1854); 17.5x11.5 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; (add.info.: This w/c illustrates a story by the ancient Roman writer Livy. In the story, a wide gap opened in the Forum (market place) at Rome. Marcus Curtius believed that a human sacrifice was required to save the city. He rode his horse into the gulf, and the gulf then closed over him. John Martin often chose scenes of destruction from literature or the Bible. This picture is tiny and almost monochrome because it was intended to reproduced as an engraving. Martin\'s usually partly relied on their large size for impact. ); 穢 Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums; English, out of copyright.