Saint Peter and Saint Paul [reverse]

Art Historical Context

In the late 17th century, Italian medallist Giovanni Martino Hamerani crafted this exquisite bronze medal, titled *Saint Peter and Saint Paul [reverse]*, dated 1678. Measuring just 3.15 cm in diameter and weighing a mere 14.92 grams, its diminutive scale belies the masterful engraving technique typical of the Hamerani family, renowned papal artists who produced commemorative medals for the Catholic Church. The inclusion of a suspension loop suggests it was designed as a wearable devotional object, blending sculpture with personal piety. The reverse features Saints Peter and Paul, Rome's patron saints and foundational figures of Christianity—Peter with his keys to heaven, Paul often symbolized by a sword. Struck during the Baroque era under Pope Innocent XI's reign, such medals celebrated ecclesiastical authority and faith, serving as portable icons for pilgrims and clergy. Hamerani's precise chasing and high-relief modeling on bronze capture dramatic tension and spiritual depth, hallmarks of the period's ornate style. Housed in the National Gallery of Art as a gift honoring curators Douglas Lewis and Sir John Pope-Hennessy, this piece exemplifies the artistry of micro-sculpture, where every detail invites close contemplation, bridging historical devotion with timeless craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Giovanni Martino Hamerani · 1646–1705

Italian, 1646/9–1705