The Altar of Eros, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae"
Original title: The Altar of Eros, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae"
kurzbeschreibung
An ancient altar with a statue of Eros takes center stage in this engraving by Agostino Veneziano, made between about 1514 and 1536. The sheet belongs to the 'Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae', a collection that recorded Roman monuments.
Description
The layout is symmetrical: a central altar flanked by columns and resting on a pedestal. On it stands a male statue whose pose recalls ancient representations of Eros. A relief with a portrait adorns the zone above the altar. The floor bears a geometric ornament. Even light falls across the monochrome view.
Context
Agostino Veneziano worked in Rome after 1510, where this engraving was made. It is part of the 'Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae', a print series that documented ancient and contemporary buildings of Rome. Antonio Lafreri published the series; it served architects and art lovers as a reference work.
Impact
The print appears calm and balanced thanks to its symmetrical arrangement and clear linework. The ancient Eros statue gives the work a classical, lofty mood characteristic of the Renaissance reception of antiquity.
Technique
In etching, lines are bitten into a metal plate. Even, fine strokes produce precise contours and shading. The dimensions of the sheet and its support show that the motif is part of a larger printing plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)