Bilder Bernard de Montfaucon (1655–1741) – Ceres and Archaeological Reliefs – Engraving (1719)

Beskrivning

"Ceres" illustrates a diverse collection of ancient mythological and decorative reliefs, including a complex central frieze depicting agricultural rites and figures such as Ceres, Bacchus, and various putti. The lower section displays a pedestal flanked by griffins, several standing statues of deities, and a profile of a head in Phrygian headwear. The engraving documents significant archaeological artifacts discovered throughout Europe, providing a detailed visual record of ancient Greco-Roman iconography and stonework. This work is from L’antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures, published in Paris in 1719, which served as the first comprehensive attempt to systematically 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.