Mercurii Templum, from a Series of 24 Depicting (Reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity

Anonymous, Italian, 16th century Italian

Previously attributed to Monogrammist G.A. with the Caltrop Italian

Plate ca. 1530–50

Not on view

Perspectival depiction of the right half of a temple, referred to as the ‘Mercurii Templum’, set in a stylized landscape. Curiously, the building does not appear to have an entrance, but both the central and right bay are marked by an aedicula, indicating that it might have functioned as an altar. A temple of Mercury is referenced in Medieval descriptions of Rome, although the precise location nor remains have been uncovered so far. The current rendition is likely based on descriptions as is the case for various other prints in the same group.

The print is part of a group of architectural prints depicting buildings from Roman Antiquity, ranging from triumphal arches to bath houses, temples and palaces in Italy, France and Spain. Some of the buildings have been artificially reconstructed based on Medieval descriptions, while others are depicted in their ruinous states. The plates are known in several (uncatalogued) states, and have undergone minor changes over time. Several titles of buildings have been changed, and the plates have been cropped as a result of plate cracks and oxidation.

Most copper plates for this series have been engraved on both sides. This print is taken from the same plate as the 'Sepulchrum Adriani'.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Mercurii Templum, from a Series of 24 Depicting (Reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity
Artist: Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
Artist: Previously attributed to Monogrammist G.A. with the Caltrop (Italian, 1530–1540)
Date: Plate ca. 1530–50
Medium: Engraving
Dimensions: Sheet: 13 3/8 × 9 5/16 in. (34 × 23.6 cm)
Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
Credit Line: Purchase, Edward Pearce Casey Fund and Carolyn H. Specht Gift, 2016
Object Number: 2016.684.4a
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Anonymous, Italian, 16th century

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

16 Prints from a Series of 24 Depicting (Reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity

Anonymous, Italian, 16th century

Monogrammist G.A. with the Caltrop

Plates ca. 1530–50

Statuta Collegii Dominorum

Anonymous, Italian, 16th century

1559

Saint Roch Recommending a Woman with a Sick Child to the Virgin (recto); Figure of a Man Holding a Book; Nude Figure of a Man (verso), Anonymous, Italian, 16th century Italian, Pen and brown ink on cream-colored paper (recto). Traces of framing outlines in the form of an arch in pen and brown ink apparently by artist. Top has been trimmed to form an arch (recto); nude studies, one in red chalk and one in black chalk (verso) — Saint Roch Recommending a Woman with a Sick Child to the Virgin (recto); Figure of a Man Holding a Book; Nude Figure of a Man (verso)
Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
16th century

The Last Supper

Anonymous, Italian, 16th century

16th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.