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Antiquity & ruins
Antique Roman Temple Engravings Set of 3, Montfaucon 1721 Architecture
€1,250
$1,410 · £1,060
Original print, not a reproduction
Ships worldwide from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked. 14-day returns. To buy, use Ask a question (info@antiquearchitectureprints.com) and we will reserve it for you.
- Date
- 1721
- Sheet size
- 16.6 × 10 in (42.2 × 25.3 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Good antique condition with age-related toning, light surface wear, and occasional spotting consistent with early 18th-century paper. Margins remain generous, with visible plate marks and well-preserved impressions. Minor edge wear and soft creasing.
- Collection
- Antiquity & ruins
- Era
- 1700 to 1789, Baroque to Neoclassical
- Stock no.
- f_50042152
Antique Roman Temple Engravings Set of 3, Montfaucon 1721 Architecture
A refined and highly decorative set of three early 18th-century engravings illustrating classical Roman temples and architectural forms, drawn from Bernard de Montfaucon’s celebrated work Antiquity Explained, and Represented in Sculptures, published in London in 1721. These plates represent the architectural dimension of Montfaucon’s ambitious encyclopedic study of antiquity, combining archaeological observation with elegant engraved presentation.
The first plate features a monumental domed Roman temple, reminiscent of the Pantheon, rendered with strong perspective and finely articulated columns and masonry. Below, additional architectural fragments and antiquarian references enrich the composition. The second engraving presents a classical temple façade in elevation, accompanied by a series of medallions, plans, and symbolic architectural forms, offering insight into sacred Roman structures and their decorative programs. The third plate expands the narrative with multiple temple types, including circular and rectangular sanctuaries, alongside an impressive colonnaded structure and detailed architectural studies, demonstrating the breadth of Roman architectural vocabulary.
Together, these three engravings form a visually harmonious and intellectually engaging group, uniting grand architectural perspectives with analytical detail. The crisp copperplate engraving, balanced compositions, and consistent format across the plates make this an ideal set for collectors and designers alike. Their subject matter, timeless temple architecture, translates particularly well into modern interiors, offering both gravitas and refined classical beauty.
This set is especially appealing for architects, classicists, and collectors of Grand Tour material, as well as for interior designers seeking elegant, historically grounded wall decoration. When displayed together, the prints create a strong and cohesive statement rooted in the enduring legacy of Roman architecture.
Condition: Good antique condition with age-related toning, light surface wear, and occasional spotting consistent with early 18th-century paper. Margins remain generous, with visible plate marks and well-preserved impressions. Minor edge wear and soft creasing as expected for works of this period, but overall presenting very well.
Framing tips: Best displayed as a triptych in a horizontal arrangement. We recommend dark walnut or ebonized frames with wide ivory mats to enhance contrast and emphasize the fine engraving detail. A museum-style presentation will elevate the architectural clarity and visual impact of the set.
Note: The print is an original antique engraving, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The piece is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: After Bernard de Montfaucon, France/England, 1721
