Perspectival View, Temple of Isis 1551

Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau created this engraving, “Perspectival View, Temple of Isis,” in the 16th century. During this time, a growing interest in classical antiquity influenced art and architecture. This print reflects the era’s fascination with ancient Roman structures, here reimagined as a temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis. Temples like these were places of spiritual encounter, but, here, the figures are instead preoccupied with earthly activities, appearing more as spectators or merchants within the grand space. The detailed architectural rendering, with its precise lines and calculated perspective, invites us to consider the intersection of power, religion, and commerce.