Scenes from the Life of King Nebuchadnezzar
This front of a chest (cassone) treats three episodes from the Bible relating to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar (ca. 605–562 BC). In one, the king has summoned wise men to interpret his dreams, which foretell his fall. In the second, he is driven from Babylon, and in the third he is shown, insane, eating grass "like oxen," as one of his dreams had foretold. Especially beautiful is the gilded oak leaf decoration. Nicola di Maestro Antonio was one of the most eccentric painters of the Renaissance. This work dates about 1490.
Artwork Details
- Title: Scenes from the Life of King Nebuchadnezzar
- Artist: Nicola di Maestro Antonio d'Ancona (Italian, Marchigian, active by 1472–died 1510/11)
- Medium: Tempera on wood, embossed and gilt ornament
- Dimensions: Overall, with engaged frame, 24 3/8 x 69 1/8 in. (61.9 x 175.6 cm); painted surface, left 12 7/8 x 14 5/8 in. (32.7 x 37.1 cm), center 12 3/4 x 14 3/4 in. (32.4 x 37.5 cm), right 12 3/4 x 141/2 in. (32.4 x 36.8 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of James L. Loeb, 1908
- Object Number: 08.133
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.