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Watch a video that reveals, through high-resolution photography, the marvelous low-relief images that decorate the Nero tazza, a masterpiece of Renaissance goldsmiths’ work. The video is narrated by classicist Mary Beard. Produced in...\n
Watch a video that reveals, through high-resolution photography, the marvelous low-relief images that decorate the Nero tazza, a masterpiece of Renaissance goldsmiths’ work. The video is narrated by classicist Mary Beard. Produced in association with The Silver Caesars: A Renaissance Mystery, on view at The Met Fifth Avenue from December 12, 2017–March 11, 2018. Following its presentation at The Met, the exhibition will be on view at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, from April 18 through July 22, 2018. #SilverCaesars #Renaissance #Aldobrandini #Nero #Vitellius #AncientRome Made in the late 16th century, the Nero tazza belongs to the magnificent set of 12 monumental silver-gilt standing cups known collectively as the Aldobrandini Tazze. Each tazza stands over a foot tall and features a shallow footed dish surmounted by a figure of one of the first 12 Caesars, notorious rulers of ancient Rome. On the intricately wrought interior of each dish appear four scenes from the life of the corresponding ruler—in this case, the emperor Nero. These stunningly detailed scenes illustrate passages from The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, a book by the ancient Roman historian Suetonius (born ca. A.D. 70). In this video, Mary Beard, a professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge, reads her (abridged) translations of the relevant episodes from Suetonius’s biography of Nero, showing how the Renaissance silversmiths who created the Nero tazza brought his history to life. In the exhibition, organized by curator Julia Siemon, the reunited tazze are displayed together for the first time since the mid-19th century, when the objects were disassembled and dispersed, their constituent parts misidentified and mismatched. In addition, the elements of all 12 tazze are displayed in their original configuration—a unique opportunity for modern viewers to appreciate one of the most enigmatic monuments of 16th-century silver. The Silver Caesars highlights the elegance and astonishing erudition of the Aldobrandini Tazze, presenting them with a small selection of other works in silver and other media, including ancient coins and Renaissance medals, prints, books, and paintings. The exhibition considers such topics as 19th-century views of the Renaissance and Renaissance views of ancient Rome. Examples of 19th-century works that the tazze inspired are also included. In addition to offering new insights into the tazze and their history, the exhibition explores the set’s famously mysterious reputation—engaging visitors in tracing clues that may lead to a better understanding of this Renaissance masterpiece. Featured object: Nero Tazza Netherlandish? ca. 1587–99 Gilded silver Figure: Zilkha Collection, Los Angeles Dish and foot: Private collection, on loan to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (L.1999.62.2) The exhibition is made possible by The Schroder Foundation, Selim K. Zilkha, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, Nina von Maltzahn, and an anonymous donor. Production Credits: Director: Kate Farrell Producer: Melissa Bell Narration: Mary Beard Animation/Editor: Bryan Martin Photography: Joseph Coscia, Juan Trujillo Music: Austin Fisher Audio Production: David Raymond © 2017 The Metropolitan Museum of Art\n
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