The Temple of Vesta in Rome, Antique View with an Ox Cart, circa 1850

This is a view of the round temple by the Tiber in Rome, an original antique steel engraving, uncolored, circa 1850. The caption reads Der VESTA-TEMPEL in ROM, German for the Temple of Vesta in Rome.

The circular temple with its ring of fluted Corinthian columns stands at the left of center under a low tiled roof topped by a cross, a high wall running off to the left behind it. In front of the columns stand several idle carts, with long horned oxen beside them, most of them lying down and one standing at the left. A street opens at the center toward washing hung across the far end, and a tall palace front with striped awnings and a columned building fill the right, where a man in a tall hat stands watching.

The engraver's signature Martini sc. is engraved at the lower right just below the image. Below the caption the plate carries the house imprint, Aus d. Kunstanst. d. Bibl. Instit. in Hildbh. at the lower left and Eigenthum d. Verleger. at the lower right. The first is the art works of the Bibliographisches Institut in Hildburghausen, the second reads "property of the publishers."

The sheet comes from a dealer's album rather than from a bound set. Its imprint is that of Meyer's Universum, a serial collection of engraved views with descriptive text, published by Joseph Meyer's Bibliographisches Institut at Hildburghausen from 1833, its plates engraved on steel. The round temple in the Forum Boarium has been called the Temple of Vesta since the Renaissance, though it is now generally identified as a temple of Hercules.

Even age toning. A few small foxing spots in the margin. Slight wear at the bottom right corner. Minor edge wear, shallow nicks along the right.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.