Roman Female Statues and Medallions, Montfaucon Antiquarian Engraving, 1721
Description This large-format engraving originates from Bernard de Montfaucon’s seminal publication Antiquity Explained and Represented in Sculptures, issued in London in 1721. The plate is devoted to representations of female figures from classical antiquity, combining monumental Roman statues with engraved gems, medallions, and coins, all carefully assembled into a single, harmonized composition.
Dominating the sheet are standing female statues rendered after celebrated Roman marbles, shown in varied contrapposto poses with finely articulated drapery. These figures likely represent goddesses or idealized Roman matrons, identified through attributes such as wheat sheaves, torches, or vessels, suggesting associations with Ceres, Vesta, or related personifications of fertility, virtue, and civic order. Their sculptural gravity is balanced by a surrounding constellation of circular medallions reproducing ancient coins and gems, featuring imperial portraits, symbolic motifs, and ritual emblems.
Montfaucon’s approach was encyclopedic rather than purely aesthetic: the engraving functions as a visual argument, demonstrating how sculpture, numismatics, and glyptic art together inform the understanding of Roman religious and social life. The line engraving is clear and restrained, typical of early 18th-century antiquarian illustration, favoring legibility and form over dramatic shading. While the impression is characteristically soft, the overall visual impact is strong due to the scale of the sheet and the architectural arrangement of figures.
In an interior context, this engraving reads as both scholarly and decorative. Its tall statues give vertical emphasis, while the medallions add rhythmic detail, making it especially effective as a statement piece in libraries, studies, hallways, or refined contemporary interiors seeking classical reference without overt ornamentation.
Condition report Overall good antique condition. Light, even age toning throughout, with a central vertical fold as issued. The impression is slightly soft, consistent with Montfaucon plates. No major losses or structural damage observed.
Framing tips This engraving benefits from generous matting to emphasize its scale and sculptural presence. A warm off-white or light parchment mat paired with a dark wood, walnut, or subtly gilt frame enhances its classical character. Particularly effective when framed large and hung at eye level.
Technique: Engraving Maker: Bernard de Montfaucon, France / London, 1721
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