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Antiquity & ruins
Roman Funerary Monument and Relief Sculpture, Montfaucon Engraving, 1721
€595
$670 · £505
Original print, not a reproduction
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- Date
- 1721
- Sheet size
- 16.7 × 10.2 in (42.4 × 25.8 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Good, strong impression with visible plate mark. Light age toning and minor edge wear consistent with age. The engraved image is complete and well preserved.
- Collection
- Antiquity & ruins
- Era
- 1700 to 1789, Baroque to Neoclassical
- Stock no.
- f_48014372
Roman Funerary Monument and Relief Sculpture, Montfaucon Engraving, 1721
DESCRIPTION
Large classical engraving depicting Roman funerary and commemorative monuments, recorded after ancient relief sculpture and inscriptions. The composition is centered on a monumental funerary altar with sculpted relief, accompanied by a draped standing statue holding a carved panel, evoking the Roman tradition of honoring the dead through architectural memorials and sculptural representation. Surrounding these monuments are ancient coins and medallions illustrating chariot scenes and seated figures, reinforcing the plate’s commemorative and imperial context.
This engraving was published in Bernard de Montfaucon’s influential work *Antiquity Explained and Represented in Sculptures* (1721), one of the foundational publications of early archaeological scholarship. Montfaucon’s method was documentary and comparative: sculpture, reliefs, inscriptions, and coins are presented together as historical evidence, allowing ancient Roman funerary practices and imperial symbolism to be understood through their surviving monuments.
The sober architectural structure and restrained sculptural forms give this plate a dignified and scholarly presence. Its vertical format and calm composition make it particularly suitable for libraries, studies, and refined interiors where a classical, intellectual atmosphere is desired. Unlike mythological scenes, this engraving appeals through its historical gravity and architectural clarity.
CONDITION REPORT
Good, strong impression with visible plate mark. Light age toning and minor edge wear consistent with age. The engraved image is complete and well preserved.
FRAMING TIPS
Present with a neutral parchment or warm off-white mat to emphasize the architectural forms. Frame in dark walnut, ebonized wood, or antique black for a sober, museum-style appearance.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: Bernard de Montfaucon, Paris / London, 1721
