Athènes 1846

This rare 1846 lithograph presents a sweeping, romanticized view of Athens, drawn from the celebrated series Athènes monumentale et pittoresque. Created by the French lithographer Théodore du Moncel after a composition by H. de Rossi, the work captures the Greek capital in all its 19th-century grandeur, dominated by the Acropolis and the enduring silhouette of the Parthenon.

Published in London by E. Gambart Junin & Cie, a prestigious print dealer of the time, the lithograph embodies the Philhellenic spirit that gripped Europe during the Romantic era. Here, ancient ruins merge with contemporary figures: horsemen gallop in the foreground, while everyday scenes unfold around the base of the historic hill. The distant mountains and pale sky enhance the sense of timelessness and serenity, while the detailed architectural rendering reveals the artist’s keen eye for both topographical accuracy and aesthetic idealization.

This original lithograph is not only a superb example of mid-19th-century Romantic landscape art, but also a powerful reflection of how Europe viewed Greece—as a symbol of lost grandeur, democratic ideals, and eternal beauty. It stands today as a historical document and a poetic homage to Athens, seen through the eyes of travelers and artists who revered its legacy.

Engraving

Architecture - Greece

Monumental and Picturesque Athens. Lithograph by Th. Du Moncel. Illustration by H. de Rossi - London published by E. Gambart Junin & Cie - Victor Delarue & Cie

Printed by Auguste Bry in Paris

Good condition, slight soiling