About this sheet
Vesta and Vestal Virgins, Roman Statues and Coins, Antiquarian Engraving, 1721
This finely engraved composite plate originates from the first English edition of Bernard de Montfaucon’s influential work Antiquity Explained and Represented in Sculptures, published in London in 1721. The plate is devoted to the cult of Vesta and the Vestal Virgins, presenting a rich visual synthesis of Roman religious sculpture, ritual objects, and numismatic evidence.
The central focus is on monumental standing statues of Vesta and Vestal priestesses, shown in heavy, dignified drapery that emphasizes purity, ritual authority, and timeless calm. These larger figures are surrounded by an extensive series of coins, medallions, reliefs, and smaller sculptural studies depicting Vesta, sacrificial implements, temple imagery, and female portraits associated with the cult. The careful juxtaposition of statues and coins reflects the early 18th-century antiquarian method of reconstructing ancient religious practice through multiple visual sources.
While engraved and published in England, the imagery derives from Roman antiquities and from the Italian scholarly tradition closely associated with Giovanni Pietro Bellori and the study of classical collections in Rome. Plates such as this were intended to educate scholars and artists, but today they are equally admired for their balanced composition, strong graphic presence, and decorative appeal, making them highly suitable for libraries, studies, or refined classical interiors.
This is an authentic period engraving from the 1721 London edition, not a later reproduction, and belongs to the same important Montfaucon series as the other plates currently listed.
Condition report:
Good condition overall. A vertical center fold is present, as issued, typical for wide plates from this publication. Even light age toning and minor edge wear consistent with early 18th-century paper. The engraved image remains crisp with a clear plate impression. No major tears or restorations observed.
Framing tips:
A wide off-white, cream, or light stone-colored mat will visually organize the dense imagery and enhance legibility. A dark wood frame such as walnut or ebonized black complements the classical subject matter, while a simpler frame works well in contemporary neoclassical interiors.
