Bilder Bernard de Montfaucon (1655–1741) – Illustrations of Pluto and Proserpine – Etching (1719–1724)

Beskrivning

"Pluton & Proserpine" depicts two classical relief representations of the mythological abduction of Proserpine by Pluto. The upper, larger relief shows the deity in a horse-drawn chariot seizing Proserpine, framed by ornate twisted columns and a base decorated with ram heads and garlands. The lower, smaller relief features a similar scene from the Boissard collection, showing the chariot in motion with a more compact architectural framing. This etching was published in Paris as part of the monumental work L'Antiquite expliquee et representee en figures, a comprehensive visual encyclopedia of the ancient world. The series is recognized as a foundational achievement in the development of modern archaeology and art history.

Bernard de Montfaucon was a French Benedictine monk and a pioneering scholar of the Congregation of Saint Maur. He is widely considered the founder of the discipline of palaeography and one of the fathers of modern archaeology due to his systematic study of ancient monuments and texts. His most significant contribution, L'Antiquite expliquee, compiled thousands of images of ancient artifacts, buildings, and customs, making the physical remains of Greece and Rome accessible to Enlightenment Europe. Montfaucon's rigorous methodological approach to primary sources and visual evidence transformed the study of history into a more scientific and evidence-based field.

Artist or Maker: Bernard de Montfaucon.

Dimensions: Approximately 42 cm x 28 cm.

Medium: Etching.

Date: (1719–1724).

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.