Vico, Eneas

, a skilful medallist of the sixteenth century, was born at Parma, where, hearing of the reputation which Marc Antonio Raimondi had acquired at Rome by his engravings, he went to that city, and became his pupil. As an engraver, Strutt thinks that Vico was a man of abilities, but does not seem to have been endowed with patience enough to pay sufficient attention to the mechanical part of the execution of his plates. He could draw correctly, but seldom exerted himself. He is noticed here, however, chiefly for his knowledge of medals. In 1548, he published his “Discourses on the Medals of the Ancients,” Venice, 4to, succeeded by a second edition in 1555. This, which is a treatise of very considerable intelligence for that period, treats of the metals employed in ancient coinage of portraits to be found on coins of the types on their reverses of their legends of medallions of false medals, and rules for discerning them dates of history; forms of edifices names of magistrates, &c. This he dedicated to one of his patrons, the grand duke Cosmo, himself a distinguished amateur.

The following publications of his are also in great request: “Monumenta aliquot antiquorum ex gemmis et cameis incisa,” Rom. fol. “Omnium Cacsarum verissimaj imagines ex antiquis numismatibus desumptae,” 15*4, 4to '; and “Augustarum imagines formis expressa?, vitae quoque earumdem breviter enarratae,” &c. Venice, 1558, 4to, the two last edited by P. Manutius. The time of his birth or death is not known. ²