Greek Sarcophagus - Original Montfaucon Engraving - 1719

Original copper engraving of an antique sarcophagus, with a relief of a funerary banquet, musicians and offerings, and a Greek inscription running across the center of the frieze. An impression of great delicacy of line, with the page number engraved in the upper corner.

It comes from L'Antiquite expliquee et representee en figures, by the Benedictine Bernard de Montfaucon, published in Paris in 1719: the first great illustrated encyclopedia of antiquity and one of the cornerstones of classical archaeology.

Medium: Copper engraving.
Artist / after: Bernard de Montfaucon (source work).
Date: 1719.
Source: L'Antiquite expliquee et representee en figures, Paris.
Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.4 in (31 x 21.3 cm).
Condition: Paper toned, with a marked vertical wrinkle running across the image and wear at the edges.