Julius Caesar from Vivae Omnium Ferre Imperatorum Imagines

Inscriptions

In image: C. CAESAR. DICT. PERPETVO; Latin text along top and bottom edges and on reverse

Label

Collectors in the 16th century avidly sought ancient coins, particularly those featuring portraits of Roman emperors. More readily available than ancient marble sculpture, these tokens were displayed alongside contemporary portrait medals. Inventories of collections even use the same word, medaglie, to describe coins and medals. This print belongs to one of the earliest books printed in northern Europe to compile images of ancient coins. The first coin featured in the book depicted Julius Caesar, who was admired as a model of strength and power. Goltzius only featured the obverse of coins, focusing on their role as documentary sources for portraits of Roman rulers. 

From the 2024 exhibition Living with Sculpture: Presence and Power in Europe, 1400–1750, curated by Elizabeth Rice Mattison, Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Academic Programming and Curator of European Art, and Ashley B. Offill, Curator of Collections

Course History

GOVT 86.43/MES 12.14, Intellectual History of Racism, Michelle Clarke and Jonathan Smolin, Spring 2022

History 42.01, Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies 22.01, Gender & European Society, Patrick Meehan, Spring 2024

History 96.39, Saints and Relics, Cecilia Gaposchkin, Spring 2024

Italian 1.01, Introductory Italian I, Noemi Perego, Spring 2024

Italian 11.01, Intensive Italian, Floriana Ciniglia, Spring 2024

Italian 2.01, Introductory Italian II, Floriana Ciniglia, Spring 2024

Italian 3.01, Introductory Italian III, Tania Convertini, Spring 2024

Italian 3.02, Introductory Italian III, Giorgio Alberti, Spring 2024

Exhibition History

Living with Sculpture: Presence and Power in Europe, 1400–1750, Citrin Family Gallery and Engles Family Gallery, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, March 23, 2024–March 22, 2025.

Provenance

Rudolph Ruzicka (1883-1978); given to the Dartmouth College Library, likely through the Estate of Tatiana Ruzicka (1915-1995) courtesy of Edward Connery Lathem (1926-2009); transferred to present collection.

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Subject