Templum Isaiae Prophetae, from a Series of Prints depicting (reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity 1530 - 1550

This print of the Templum Isaiae Prophetae, or Temple of the Prophet Isaiah, was created by the Monogrammist G.A. & the Caltrop in the mid-16th century. It belongs to a series depicting reconstructed buildings from Roman antiquity. Made in Italy, this image reflects a cultural fascination with the classical past, which fueled the artistic innovations of the Renaissance. The print offers an imagined reconstruction of an ancient temple; the ruins, overgrown with vegetation, suggest the passage of time and the impermanence of human creation. This interest in the past, though, was also a means of establishing social status. Collecting and displaying knowledge of antiquity became a signifier of wealth and education. To truly understand this print, we need to consider the social function of art during the Renaissance. By studying architectural treatises, archaeological records, and other historical documents, we can better grasp the artist's sources and intentions, and appreciate how this image participated in the cultural conversations of its time.