Heinrich Füger in the context of "Historical painting"

The theft of fire for the benefit of humanity is a theme that recurs in many world mythologies, symbolizing the acquisition of knowledge, or technology, and its transformative impact on civilization. Its recurrent themes include trickster figures as the thief, and supernatural heroic guardians who hoard fire from humanity, often out of mistrust for humans. These myths reflect the significance of fire in human history, which is considered a major milestone in the development of human society.

In African mythology, the San peoples tell of ǀKaggen, stealing fire from the ostrich and bringing it to people. In the Americas, Native American and First Nations tribes attribute the gift of fire to animals.In Eurasian cultures, fire theft takes on various forms. The Vedic Rigveda narrates hero Mātariśvan recovering hidden fire. Greek mythology recounts Prometheus stealing heavenly fire for humanity and suffering greatly as punishment for doing so. In Oceania, Polynesian myths often feature Māui as the fire thief, with diverse variations across regions.

Marzio Mastrilli (6 September 1753 – 4 February 1833), Marquis of Gallo (marchese di Gallo), was a Neapolitan nobleman, diplomat and statesman. The second son of Mario, Duke of Marigliano, and Giovanna Caracciolo di Capriglia, he was born at the castle of Ponticchio, near Nola. As per family custom, he received the secundogeniture of the small marquisate of Gallo. Only in 1813 did King Joachim Murat raise his title to Duke of Gallo (duca di Gallo) and make it hereditary.

In 1801 Mastrilli married his niece, Maddalena, daughter of his brother Giovanni, in Naples. She died on 4 January 1812, a victim of several stillbirths. In 1813 Mastrilli married Maria Luisa Colonna, daughter of Andrea, Prince of Stigliano, who bore him heirs. He died at Naples; his mémoires were finally published by Benedetto Maresca in 1888 under the title Le Memorie del duca di Gallo.