Plate 9: Emperor Vitellus on Horseback, from 'The First Twelve Roman Caesars' after Tempesta

Art Historical Context

Behold Plate 9 from *The First Twelve Roman Caesars*, a captivating etching and engraving depicting Emperor Vitellius astride a noble steed. Created between 1610 and 1650 by Italian artist Antonio Tempesta, whose dynamic designs of horses and figures inspired the series, and Swiss master engraver Matthäus Merian Elder, this print measures 11 13/16 × 9 inches. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it exemplifies the era's fascination with classical antiquity. Vitellius, Roman emperor in 69 AD during the "Year of the Four Emperors," is portrayed in equestrian grandeur, evoking the heroic imagery of ancient rulers. Tempesta's original compositions, renowned for their lively animals and dramatic action, were meticulously translated into print by Merian, whose fine engraving techniques captured intricate details—from the horse's muscled form to Vitellius's imperial attire. This reproductive print made elite historical narratives accessible, fueling Renaissance and Baroque interest in Rome's founders. Etching and engraving, blending bitten lines for texture with incised precision, allowed mass production of such vivid scenes. A testament to 17th-century artistry, this work invites visitors to gallop through history, pondering Vitellius's brief, tumultuous reign amid Rome's enduring legacy.

About the Artist

Antonio Tempesta|Matthäus Merian the Elder · 1555–1630

Antonio Tempesta (1555–1630), known as 'Il Tempestino,' was a Florentine painter and printmaker whose extraordinary output of approximately 1,700 etchings made him one of the most influential printmakers of the early Baroque period. Born in Florence and trained under Santi di Tito and the Flemish master Joannes Stradanus, he enrolled in the Accademia del Disegno in 1576 before relocating to Rome i...