Constancy
Maker
Agostino Testa
(Italian, 1662 - 1735)
Collections
ClassificationsSCULPTURE
Datelate 17th Century
Mediumlimestone
Dimensions81 1/2 × 31 × 22 in. (207 × 78.7 × 55.9 cm.)
base: 18 1/2 × 27 × 27 in. (47 × 68.6 × 68.6 cm.)
overall: 100 × 32 × 27 in. (254 × 81.3 × 68.6 cm.)
DescriptionThis sculpture portrays the allegory of Constancy as a man in armor proving his powers of endurance by holding his hand in a flaming brazier. The image refers to the fearlessness of the Roman, Mucius Scaevola, who put his right hand in the fire to show Porsenna that he did not fear him (Livy, II, 12).
Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Status
On viewObject number20.43