Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: The Vatican Obelisque
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 20 x 13 3/16 in. (50.8 x 33.5 cm) plate: 19 3/16 x 11 7/8 in. (48.8 x 30.2 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(1.110)
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the grandeur of Renaissance Rome with *Speculum Romanae Magniae: The Vatican Obisk*, a captivating 1550 engraving attributed to publisher Antonio Lafreri or an anonymous artist. This print captures one of ancient Rome's most iconic obelisks—originally from Egypt and standing near the Vatican—showcasing the era's fascination with classical antiquities. At 19 3/16 x 11 7/8 inches on the plate, it invites viewers to marvel at the towering monument amid its urban surroundings, blending ancient wonder with 16th-century perspective. Part of Lafreri's renowned *Speculum Romanae Magnificent...
About the Artist
Antonio Lafreri|Anonymous · 1507–1577
Antonio Lafreri, born Antoine du Pérac Lafréry around 1512 in Orgelet in the County of Burgundy (modern-day France), emerged as one of the most influential print publishers of the 16th century after settling in Rome around 1540. His early life and training remain sparsely documented, with no records of specific teachers or art schools; he arrived in the Eternal City as an engraver, producing works...