Scenes from the Life of King Nebuchadnezzar 1467 - 1511

Nicola di Maestro Antonio painted these three scenes from the life of King Nebuchadnezzar, likely in the early 16th century. This is a Renaissance-era artwork made in Italy that draws on both classical and biblical sources. The scenes depict moments from the life of the Babylonian king, known from the Old Testament, where Nebuchadnezzar’s pride leads to madness and humiliation. The painting likely served as a *cassone* panel, decorating a marriage chest for elite families. It’s interesting to consider why a patron would choose these scenes to celebrate a marriage. Perhaps the patrons sought to remind the wedded couple that pride comes before a fall. The images reflect the social hierarchies of the time, but they also suggest anxieties about the instability of power. To understand this work better, one can consult primary sources, such as marriage contracts and inventories of household goods, which can provide information about patronage. It becomes clear how art is deeply embedded in the social and institutional contexts of its time.