Bilder Bernard de Montfaucon (1655–1741) – Jupiter and Other Gods – Engraving (1719)

Beskrivning

"Jupiter et Autres Dieux" illustrates two distinct friezes of classical deities rendered in the style of ancient Roman bas-reliefs. The upper register depicts a group including a seated Jupiter with his eagle, Juno, and Mercury carrying his caduceus, accompanied by a ram. The lower register displays five standing and seated figures including Neptune with his trident and other mythological figures holding various symbolic attributes. The engraving documents significant archaeological sculptures and monumental reliefs found across Europe, providing a systematic visual record of classical iconography. This work is from L’antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures, published in Paris in 1719, which served as the first comprehensive attempt to catalog and illustrate the physical remains of the ancient world.

Bernard de Montfaucon was a French Benedictine monk and scholar who is widely considered the founder of the modern science of archaeology and palaeography. He spent decades traveling across Europe to document ancient monuments, manuscripts, and inscriptions, aiming to bridge the gap between classical texts and tangible historical evidence. His monumental publications integrated diverse fields of study including history, art, and religion into a cohesive visual encyclopedia. Montfaucon's methodology of using comparative visual evidence to establish historical facts was a groundbreaking development in Enlightenment scholarship.

Artist or Maker: Bernard de Montfaucon.

Dimensions: Approximately 42 cm x 53 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.