Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalamatia
1764
Medium
Illustrations: etching and engraving
Dimensions
21 5/8 × 14 15/16 × 1 9/16 in. (55 × 38 × 4 cm)
Classification
Books|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, 1941
Accession Number
41.100.176
Tags
Art Historical Context
In 1764, Scottish architect Robert Adam published *Ruins of the Palace of the Emperorocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia a lavish book of etched and engraved illustrations capturing the ancient Roman palace in what is now Split, Croatia Built around 300 AD as a retirement retreat for Emperor Diocletian, the sprawling complex blended imperial grandeur with practical living quarters. Adam's meticulous drawings, produced after his 1754 Grand Tour visit, document its weathered columns, arches, and courtyards with architectural precision, blending measured plans with picturesque scenes. These etching...