Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: The Egyptian Obelisk of Augustus
Medium
Engraving and etching
Dimensions
sheet: 20 7/8 x 14 1/2 in. (53 x 36.8 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1941
Accession Number
41.72(1.115)
Tags
About this artwork
Nicolaus van Aelst, an Italian engraver of Netherlandish origin, created this 1589 engraving depicting the ancient Egyptian obelisk of Augustus for the "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae" series. This ambitious publishing project, orchestrated primarily by Antonio Lafreri and associates, documented Rome's archaeological treasures and Renaissance monuments from 1545 to 1577 and beyond. The print combines engraving and etching techniques to capture the obelisk's hieroglyphic inscriptions and monumen...
Art Historical Context
Step into the Renaissance fascination with ancient wonders through Nicolaus van Aelst's 1589 engraving,Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Egyptian Obelisk of*. This intricate print, part of Antonio Lafreri's ambitious documenting Rome's archaeological treasures from the mid-16th century onward, captures the towering obelisk originally shipped from Heliopolis, Egypt and erected by Emperor Augustus in the Circus Max around 10 BCE. Aelst, an engraver of Netherlandish working in Italy, masterfully renders its hieroglyphic inscriptions, monumental scale, and surrounding Roman details, including coats...
About the Artist
Nicolaus van Aelst|Anonymous · 1525–1615
Flemish, Brussels 1526–1613 Rome|