Termae Antoniane Imp. [formerly Palatium Se Lugduni], from a Series of 24 Depicting (Reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity

Perspectival view of a building in its ruined state, referred to here as the ‘Palatium Se Lugduni’, but changed in a later state to ‘Termae Anonianae Imp’. The latter, which refers to the complex now more generally known as the Baths of Caracalla may in fact be the correct identification of the source used for this print. This does not negate the fact that the printmaker may have intended to depict a Roman building in the city of Paris, however, as most of the prints in this series appear to have been made as a form of ekphrasis, and elements from existing architecture has been used on several occasions.

The print is part of a group of architectural prints depicting buildings from Roman Antiquity, ranging from triumphal arches to bath houses, temples and palaces in Italy, France and Spain. Some of the buildings have been artificially reconstructed based on Medieval descriptions, while others are depicted in their ruinous states. The plates are known in several (uncatalogued) states, and have undergone minor changes over time. Several titles of buildings have been changed, and the plates have been cropped as a result of plate cracks and oxidation.

The current print is known in a state before title, a second state with the title ‘Palatium Se Lugduni’ (refering to the ruins of Cluny III in Paris) and the current identification 'Termae Antonianae'. Due to damages, the plate edges were cut or filed several times, and as a result the fir tree on the right diminishes in size in later impressions.