This remarkable 1846 lithograph offers a sweeping and richly detailed view of the Propylaea and the Temple of Athena Nike—referred to here as the Temple de la Victoire (Aptère)—captured by Théodore du Moncel after a drawing by A. Bayot, as part of the acclaimed Romantic series Athènes monumentale et pittoresque.
In this composition, the viewer is invited to step into the grandeur of the Athenian Acropolis, where majestic architectural forms rise amidst the ruins. The bustling presence of 19th-century figures, including scholars, travelers, and locals, brings this classical site to life, reflecting the vivid Philhellenic fascination of the era. This was a time when ancient Greece was rediscovered by European imagination, filtered through the aesthetics of the Romantic movement.
Published in London by E. Gambart Junin & Cie, a central figure in the international art market, this lithograph balances archaeological accuracy with a refined artistic sensibility. The monumentality of the Propylaea and the delicate grace of the Temple of Nike are rendered with meticulous linework and atmospheric washes, evoking both awe and reverence.
A compelling document of 19th-century topographical art, this lithograph is more than a view—it is a visual homage to the enduring spirit of antiquity and the travelers who sought to capture its legacy.
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
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