Innocent XII (Pope, 1691–1700)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, crafted by Italian artist Giovanni Martino Hamer in the 17th, captures a profile portrait of Pope Innocent, who served from 1691 to 1700. Measuring just 1 1/4 inches in diameter, its intimate scale and rich brown patina evoke the tradition of Renaissance and Baroque medal-making in Italy, where such small-scale sculptures commemorated dignitaries and events. Hamerani, part of a prominent Roman family of medalists, in papal portraits, blending classical profile views—reminiscent of ancient Roman coins—with intricate Baroque detailing. Bronze, valued for its durability and ability to hold fine details when cast, was the ideal medium for these portable works of art, often exchanged as diplomatic gifts or personal talismans. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, this piece highlights the cultural reverence for the papacy in Counter-Reformation Rome. Innocent XII, known for reforms against nepotism, is immortalized here in a timeless format that bridged antiquity and the early modern era, offering visitors a tangible glimpse into 17th-century devotion and artistry.

About the Artist

Giovanni Martino Hamerani · 1646–1705

Italian, 1646/9–1705