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Scenes from the Life of King Nebuchadnezzar

Not on view

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

Object Information
  • 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

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