Mucius Scaevola Holding His Hand in the Fire
1520
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1520
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Mucius Scaevola Holding His Hand in the Fire is a 1520 by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a man holding his right hand over a fire. Flames flicker around it, but he doesn’t flinch. Behind him, a small altar holds a book and a burning candle, while another figure stands nearby, watching. The scene looks dramatic but calm—like a test of will. The artist used bold lines and shadows to make the moment feel intense. Next, look up Renaissance to see how this style shaped art.
