Innocent XII (Pope, 1691–1700)
17th century
Medium
Bronze, brown patina
Dimensions
Diameter: 1 3/16 in. (3 cm)
Classification
Medals and Plaquettes
Culture
Italian, Rome
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Rupert L. Joseph, 1959
Accession Number
60.55.29
Tags
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 imag...
About the Artist
Giovanni Martino Hamerani · 1646–1705
Italian, 1646/9–1705