Nero, A.D. 37-68, Roman Emperor A.D. 54 [obverse]

Art Historical Context

This striking bronze medal, created by the Italian artist Giovanni da Cavino in the mid-16th century, captures the obverse portrait of Emperor Nero, who ruled Rome from A.D. 54 to 68. Measuring just over an inch in diameter, the piece was produced through striking—a technique that allowed for precise, repeatable impressions in metal. Classified as sculpture, it reflects the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity, when artists like Cavino revived ancient Roman imagery for collectors and scholars. Nero’s profile, rendered with careful attention to laurel wreath and imperial features, connects viewers directly to the dramatic era of the early Roman Empire. Though made more than 1,500 years after Nero’s time, the medal embodies the period’s desire to bridge past and present through art. Its presence in the National Gallery of Art’s Samuel H. Kress Collection highlights how such small-scale works helped shape modern appreciation for both Roman history and Renaissance craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Giovanni da Cavino · 1500–1570

**Giovanni da Cavino: The Paduan Master of Medals and Antiquity** Giovanni da Cavino, born in May 1500 in Padua to goldsmith Bartolommeo di Giovanni from Cavino d'Arsego, inherited his family's craft from an early age. His father served as his initial master until Bartolommeo's death in 1517, after which Cavino trained in the workshop of the renowned Paduan sculptor Andrea Riccio (1470–1532), who...