Publius Horatius (from the Roman Heroes series)

Artist Hendrik Goltzius Dutch, 1558 - 1616

Date1586

MediumEngraving on laid paper

DimensionsSheet: 14 5/8 x 9 1/4 in. (37.1 x 23.5 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family

Object number2008.20.6

On View

On view

Collections

Works on Paper

SignedSigned in the plate, LL, "HG Fe." [Hendrick Goltzius Fecit] the HG conjoined. Below this in the extreme LL and single letter probably "J." or possibly a number "1." indicating the state or edition.

InscribedLegend at the bottom of the image outside the borderline, but within platemark: The first line from left to right ="Strenuus Albanus obtruncat Horatius hoster," [break, then more text to the right] "Amborum exequitur quo Regum Foedera: Téq (the last letter with a "3" almost attached to it that may represent a diacritical mark). The second line = Funeribus fratrum qui Superunus erat: [break, then more text further right], "Vendicat aeterno Marita Roma iugo." At the far right of this the date "Aº 1586" [Anno 1586]. This legend is printed with the second lines indented under the line above which would seem to indicate that the lines at the left should be read, followed by the two lines at the right. "89" is written in th upper left front of the print in old brown ink. "98" in the same or similar hand and ink is written on the center top of the reverse of the print. Also on the reverse of the print: 1. At the center what appears to be an early inscription, about 1" high, possibly in pencil or faded gray ink, a symbol that may be a large "4" with a serpentine (or cedilla) over it, it may also be a number "2" with a slash to the right. 2. left edge, center in pencil possibly "154" or "157" above cursive "Golziu". 3. At the lower left, a purple ink stamp, partial, possibly a letter "R" in a rectangle. 4. "1997.3__1" probably the accession number before deaccessioned by the Blanton Museum at Univ. of Texas, Austin. 4. to the right of previous "117" in brown, probably old ink. 5. Lower right modern, in pencil "118" 6. in very small script, faded brown ink with rice paper repairs overlaid and only partially legible "F_____r 31 93" In pencil, printed at the bottom of the inner mat, "Provenance: Duplicate, University of Texas, Austin. Hendrik Goltzius (1558-1617): Publius Horatius. 1586. Hollstein 162. Engraving from the series of Roman Heroes."

MarkingsWatermark of many dots in an irregular mass, described in T. Sparling's notes as a "Grapes watermark," visible with back light at figure's left foot.

DescriptionIn the foreground a large figure of a muscular Roman soldier, Publius Horatius, holds his sword upright in his right hand and the upper end of the scabbard in his lowerd left hand. The figure stands in strong contraposto with his left foot forward bearing all his weight and the right foot back with heel raised and weight only on the toes, the left shoulder and arm twisted back behind and the right moving forward and up. The sword in the latter is cut off by the edge of the image. The figure looks upward with large eyes and wears a long, curly mustache and beard. On his head is an elaborately plumed helmet with a crouching sphinx above the visor and molded mask on the hinged cheek pieces. A sword belt encircles his torso and drapery flows around the shoulders. A short skirt encircles his waist and he has leather calf-height sandals on his feet. A shield with an embossed satyr is display on the ground in front of the figure.

In the background at both left and right are troops of soldiers carrying spears and swords. In the right midground there is a fenced area where two figures, probably representing the central figure's deceased siblings, lay. Other figures in the fenced area battle with swords.

The image illustrates the story of three Roman siblings of the Horatius family [aka the Horatii, as in David's 'Oath of the Horatii'] who were chosen to combat three brothers [the Curiatii] in an opposing army in order to spare the troops a full battle. When his two brothers are killed Publius pretends to flee causing his opponents to separate and enabling him to kill them.Exhibition History"Old Master Prints from the Sparling Family Collection", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, February 28 - May 24, 2009.

“Prosperity and Exclusion,” The Hyde Collection, Hoopes and Whitney-Renz Galleries, May 31 – Sept. 21, 2025ProvenanceAustin, TX, University of Texas, Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art (deacesseioned as a duplicate)
Before 2006, San Rafael, CA, R.E. Lewis and Daughter
2006, Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust