The Temple of Serapis
Medium
architecture
Classification
architecture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Erskine Hewitt
Accession Number
1938-57-748
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean-Baptiste Saint-Non, a prominent French engraver and antiquarian (1727–1791), the majestic ruins of the Temple of Serapis around 1762 during his travels through Italy. This architectural rendering, housed in the Smithsonian American Art's collection (Bequest of Erskine), depicts the ancient Roman structure in Pozzuoli, Naples—a marvel dedicated to the Greco-Egyptian god Serapis the 2nd century AD. Saint-Non's precise draftsmanship reflects the era's fascination with classical antiquity, blending meticulous observation with artistic elegance. As part of the Enlightenment's Grand Tour tradi...