Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Nerva, from "The Twelve Caesars" 1495 - 1539

Marcantonio Raimondi's engraving, "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Nerva," from "The Twelve Caesars" depicts the Roman emperor Nerva in profile. The work is a fine example of the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity, with the inscription and imagery mimicking Roman coins. The meticulous hatching and detailed rendering of Nerva's features, particularly the laurel wreath, contribute to the realism and grandeur of the piece. The print, completed between 1495 and 1539, showcases Raimondi's mastery of engraving and his role in disseminating classical imagery during the Renaissance.