Aerarii Publici Rome, from a Series of Prints depicting (reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity

Perspectival depiction of the side view of a building referred to as the ‘Aerarii Publici Rome’, the public treasury of Rome. The main body of the building is circular in shape interrupted at regular intervals by semi-circular absidioles and an avant-corps on the front side (here seen on the left). The avant-corpse consists of a monumental staircase that leads up to the fourth floor of the building. A separate staircase leads to the top of the building, which is crowned by a dome with a balustrade. While the building is meant to represent the public treasury of Rome, thought to have been located on the Capitoline Hill near the Temple of Saturnus, very few architectural elements remain to indicate what the building may have looked like, and this rendition was likely created as an ekphrasis.

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.

Most copper plates for this series have been engraved on both sides. This print is taken from the same plate as the 'Pinaculu Termae'.

This group of prints was purchased as part of an an album in 1926, but taken apart by the Museum in 1934. The album appears to have been compiled in the 17th century, although the majority of prints date from the 16th century. The larger part of the prints is focused on mythological subjects and objects and architecture from Antiquity. The album was part of the collection of the architect Hippolyte Destailleur and was sold in the sale of his books and prints in 1895. The Museum acquired the album at G. Rapilly & Fils in 1926. Where the album had been kept in the mean time is unclear and several prints were taken out in this period. The museum's numbering does not reflect the order of the original album, but Destailleur's numbering system is retained on the inidividual sheets, allowing for the reconstruction of its original content.