About this sheet
Set of two original antique engravings depicting two of the most celebrated temples of ancient Athens: the Parthenon on the Acropolis and the Temple of Theseus, today generally identified as the Temple of Hephaestus.
Both architectural views were engraved by Ambroise Tardieu for the atlas accompanying Jean-Jacques Barthélemy’s Voyage du jeune Anacharsis en Grèce.
The first engraving, titled “Vue Perspective du Temple de Thésée,” shows the Temple of Theseus in an idealized reconstruction of its ancient setting. The imposing Doric temple is surrounded by classical buildings, trees and distant mountains, while numerous figures animate the foreground and emphasize the scale of the architecture.
Known for centuries as the Theseion, the building is now generally identified as the Temple of Hephaestus. Situated overlooking the Ancient Agora of Athens, it is among the best-preserved Doric temples surviving from classical Greece.
The companion engraving, “Vue Perspective du Parthénon,” presents an impressive reconstruction of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The temple is viewed obliquely to emphasize its monumental colonnade, with the sculpted pediment prominently depicted. Classical figures, architectural remains and vegetation enliven the foreground, while the surrounding Athenian landscape extends into the distance.
Built in the 5th century BC and dedicated to Athena, the Parthenon remains the defining monument of the Acropolis and one of the great architectural achievements of classical antiquity.
Together, these two engravings form a particularly attractive and decorative pair. Their matching format and complementary subjects make them especially suitable for display together.
Creator / Engraver: Ambroise Tardieu
Titles:
Vue Perspective du Temple de Thésée
Vue Perspective du Parthénon
Publication: Paris
Date: 1825
Technique: Engravings on paper
Plates: Pl. 16 and Pl. 18
Subject: Temple of Hephaestus / Theseion and Parthenon, Athens, Greece
Number of works: 2
Condition:
Good antique condition with general age toning, scattered foxing and occasional stains and marks, consistent with age. Some discoloration is visible in the margins and along the sheet edges. The Temple of Theseus plate shows somewhat more pronounced foxing and staining in the lower margin. The engraved images remain strong, clear and highly detailed. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
Original antique engravings. Not modern reproductions.
Sold as a set of two and unframed. Any framed or interior images shown are for presentation and inspiration only.
Keywords: Parthenon, Temple of Hephaestus, Temple of Theseus, Theseion, Athens, Acropolis, Ancient Athens, Ancient Greece, Greek Temples, Doric Architecture, Classical Architecture, Greek Architecture, Greek Archaeology, Grand Tour, Ambroise Tardieu, Antique Engravings, Architectural Prints, Classical Antiquity, Set of Two, 1825.
