Innocent XII (Pope, 1691–1700)

About this artwork

This bronze, brown patina, created in 17th century, represents significant artistic achievement by Giovanni Martino Hamerani, a Italian artist. The piece demonstrates the technical capabilities and aesthetic conventions of Italian art during this historical period. Working in bronze, brown patina, the artist employed materials and techniques characteristic of the era, creating visual effects that convey both subject matter and artistic vision. Museum collections preserve such works to ensure con...

Art Historical Context

This delicate bronze medal, measuring just 1 3/16 inches in diameter, captures the profile of Pope Innocent XII, who served from 1691 to 1700. Crafted by Giovanni Martino Hamani, a Roman artist of the 17th century it exemplifies the refined tradition of Italian medals and plaquettes—small-scale sculptures prized for their portability and prestige. The brown patina, a natural oxidation on the bronze surface, enhances its antique allure, evoking the era's mastery of metalwork. In Baroque Rome, the heart of papal power, such medals served as commemorative tokens, disseminating the pontiff's image to dignitaries, collectors, and the faithful. Hamerani's incised profile adheres to classical conventions, blending sharp detailing with subtle modeling to convey authority and piety. These works highlight the technical prowess of Italian sculptors, who struck or cast intricate designs in bronze to celebrate ecclesiastical leaders amid the Counter-Reformation's cultural fervor. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, this piece—bequeathed by Rupert L. Joseph in 1959—invites us to ponder the interplay of art, religion, and politics. Through its survival, it offers a tangible link to 17th-century Rome's vibrant artistic legacy.

About the Artist

Giovanni Martino Hamerani · 1646–1705

Italian, 1646/9–1705