Speculum Romanae - Marcus Aurelius

Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae - Marcus Aurelius

The equestrian monument of Marcus Aurelius seen in profile after Michelangelo's restoration
Engraving

Published by Nicolas van Aelst
Print made byAnonymous.

1591-1613 (ca.)

Lettered across top of image 'Visitur Romae in Capitolio'. Caption lettered in a cartouche to left 'Paulus III Pont Max Statuam.../...in aream capitolinam transtulit atq dicavit an sal M.D.XXXVIII'. Dedication to Cardinal Odoardo Farnese lettered in cartouche at the right, followed by publication detail 'Nicolaus van Aelst Bruxellensis ded.

Reference: Huelsen 1921 undescribed

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 In 1540 Antonio Lafreri, a native of Besançon transplanted to Rome, began publishing maps and other printed images that depicted major monuments and antiquities in Rome. These images were calculated to appeal to the taste for classical antiquity that fueled the cultural event we call the Renaissance. After Lafreri published a title page in the mid-1570s, collections of these prints came to be known as the Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae, the "Mirror of Roman Magnificence." Tourists and other collectors who bought prints from Lafreri made their own selections and had them individually bound. Over time, Lafreri's title page served as starting point for large and eclectic compilations, expanded and rearranged by generations of collectors.