About this sheet
Antique engraving of Cyrus the Great, King of Persia, Remondini, circa 1750
This antique engraving depicts Cyrus the Great (c. 600–530 BC), the legendary founder of the Achaemenid Empire and one of the most significant rulers in ancient history. The portrait, captioned “CIRUS PERS. REX.” (Cyrus, King of Persia), presents him in a Europeanized interpretation, dressed in a grand fur hat with plume and ornate clasp. While this attire does not reflect historical Persian fashion, it follows the early modern convention of portraying ancient rulers in stylized, exoticized costume that conveyed dignity, power, and oriental grandeur to contemporary viewers.
The print was published in Bassano by the Remondini family, one of the most important Venetian printing dynasties active from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Remondini prints were widely distributed across Europe, known for their quality and for their ability to bring history, morality, and emblematic themes into popular circulation. This engraving belongs to their series of ruler portraits, often accompanied by moral verses that reflected the fragility of fortune and the inevitability of fate.
Beneath the portrait, an Italian stanza offers a philosophical reflection on the wheel of fortune and the instability of human affairs:
Il Mondo è un gioco à punto di fortuna
Cade il Re sale il vile, e così gira
La ruota sua, chi rise ancor sospira
Joh. Sauren Italico sorte provai varia e importuna
in Bassano per il Remondini
Translation:
The world is a game of fortune,
The King falls, the lowly rises, and so it turns.
Its wheel—he who laughed now sighs again.
Joh. Sauren Italico: I too have experienced fortune, varied and burdensome.
In Bassano, for Remondini.
This interplay of imagery and text offers not only a portrait of an ancient sovereign but also a timeless meditation on the rise and fall of power. The engraving exemplifies the moral and didactic dimension of European print culture in the early modern period, when the depiction of kings and emperors often served as lessons in humility and fortune’s unpredictability.
Collectors of emblematic art, early modern history, or Remondini prints will find this work particularly appealing. It represents the intersection of classical antiquity, Renaissance humanist traditions, and Baroque publishing practices, offering both artistic and historical interest.
Condition report:
The print shows some light toning and faint handling marks consistent with age. A small number of spots and signs of use along the edges, but the engraved lines remain crisp and clear. Overall, a well-preserved impression with strong contrasts. Plate mark visible.
Framing tips:
This engraving would benefit from a simple yet elegant presentation, ideally with a cream or ivory archival mat to highlight the fine linear work. A dark wood or black frame with subtle gilded accents would complement the historical subject and bring out the depth of the engraving, making it suitable for display alongside other portraits or emblematic prints.
