Antique Engraving, Hetruscan Vases. 18th Century

Antique Engraving – Etruscan Vases France, early 18th century Copper engraving, antique laid paper A beautiful archaeological plate depicting Etruscan vases, taken from a major scholarly work of the early 18th century. The composition presents several forms of ancient ceramics in fine detail. The print is intaglio, with delicate hatching characteristic of copper engraving of this period. The paper, an antique laid paper, has a patina attesting to its age. This plate is attributable to Bernard de Montfaucon (1655–1741), a French Benedictine monk, scholar, and historian, considered one of the founders of modern archaeology and paleography. His work, L'Antiquité expliquée et représentation en figures (published from 1719 onwards), marked a turning point in the scientific study of Antiquity, combining academic rigor with rich iconography.