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Original fileTempel van Saturnus en de Tempel van Vespasianus
About This Work
The print shows a landscape of classical decay, with the eight surviving columns of the Temple of Saturn on the left and the three columns of the Temple of Vespasian in the center. In the background, medieval and Renaissance buildings of the Campidoglio rise above the ancient masonry, while travelers and pack animals move through the overgrown site. This view captures the 'Campo Vaccino' as it appeared in the early 17th century, where ancient monuments served as a pasture for cattle.
As the work of Aegidius Sadeler, court engraver to Rudolf II in Prague, this print reflects the imperial interest in the 'prisca sapientia' (ancient wisdom) and the melancholy of ruins. The Temple of Saturn specifically resonates with Renaissance Neoplatonism and alchemy, where Saturn represents both the deity of time (Chronos) and the 'First Matter' of the Great Work.
Inscriptions(Latin)
Vestigij d'una parte del Campidoglio che guarda uerso il foro Romano che oggi si dice campo uaccino, doue di tanti edifici antichi che ui erano non si uede altro che nel segno. A. ch'era l'architraue, e capitelli d'un portico d'ordine Dorico dela curia Calabra. Nel segno B si uede parte del portico del tempio della Concordia restaurato da Costantino, Nel segno C si uedono tre colone d'un portico d'un tempio di bellissima maniera d'Architettura, qual per esserui pochi uestigij non si sa dechi fosse. Marco Sadeler excudit 2
Translation
Vestiges of a part of the Capitol that looks toward the Roman Forum, which today is called Campo Vaccino, where of so many ancient buildings that were there, nothing is seen other than in mark A, which was the architrave and capitals of a portico of the Doric order of the Curia Calabra. In mark B, part of the portico of the Temple of Concord, restored by Constantine, is seen. In mark C, three columns of a portico of a temple of very beautiful style of architecture are seen, which, because there are few vestiges, is not known to whom it belonged. Marco Sadeler excudit
Connected Texts
Marsilio Ficino
Ficino's influential theories on Saturnine melancholy and the influence of the planet Saturn on scholars and magicians align with the contemplative nature of these Roman ruins.
Rudolf II
The artist was the primary engraver for Rudolf II, whose court in Prague was the center of late Renaissance Hermeticism and patronage of the arts.
Provenance & Source
Object
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
paper
height 152 mm x width 265 mm
architectural
Linked Data
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