Bilder Bernard de Montfaucon (1655–1741) – Representations of Marsyas – Engraving (1719)

Beskrivning

"Marsyas." This eighteenth-century engraving illustrates various classical sculptural representations of the satyr Marsyas. The central figure depicts the bound Marsyas suspended from a tree, a common motif in Hellenistic art representing his punishment following a musical contest with Apollo. To the left is a smaller study of a flayed figure, and to the right is a statue of Apollo holding the skin of Marsyas, referencing the conclusion of the myth. The plate cites prominent collections of the period, including the Galleria Giustiniana and the Raccolta Maffei. This work was published in Paris as part of the series L'Antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures, a comprehensive visual encyclopedia documenting the art and customs of the ancient world.

Bernard de Montfaucon was a French Benedictine monk and a founding figure of modern archaeology and palaeography. He was a member of the Congregation of Saint Maur and dedicated his life to the scholarly examination of ancient texts and monuments. His multi-volume publication, L'Antiquité expliquée, was a landmark in the history of art and science, being the first work to use high-quality engravings to provide a comprehensive visual encyclopedia of antiquity. Montfaucon’s methodology of comparing physical artifacts with literary sources established a new standard for historical research and significantly influenced the development of Neoclassicism in Europe.

Artist or Maker: Bernard de Montfaucon.

Dimensions: Approximately 42 cm x 28 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1719.

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.