Erechthéum 1846

This exquisite 1846 lithograph captures the ethereal beauty of the Erechtheion, one of the most iconic temples of the Athenian Acropolis, rendered with precision and romantic sensitivity by Théodore du Moncel, after a drawing by A. Bayot. Part of the celebrated series Athènes monumentale et pittoresque, this work forms a visual ode to classical Greece at the height of European Philhellenic fascination.

The Erechtheion, with its graceful Caryatids and asymmetrical plan, is here depicted in a rare moment of quiet grandeur, surrounded by artists, travelers, and antiquarians—a subtle nod to the growing interest in archaeological exploration during the 19th century. The interplay of light and shade, combined with the fine lithographic technique, elevates this image beyond documentary into the realm of poetic realism.

Published in London by E. Gambart Junin & Cie, a key figure in bringing Continental art to English collectors, this lithograph exemplifies the Romantic era's blend of topographical detail and aesthetic idealization. It invites viewers not only to marvel at the architectural sophistication of ancient Athens but also to partake in the 19th-century dream of reconnecting with a glorious, lost civilization.

Both a historical document and a work of art in its own right, Erechthéum remains a treasured testament to the enduring allure of Greece—and to the artists and publishers who made that dream accessible to the world.

Engraving

Architecture - Greece

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

Printed by Auguste Bry in Paris

Good condition, slight soiling