Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Baths of Agrippa 1585

This anonymous print, “Baths of Agrippa,” is an engraving on paper, part of a series called “Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae,” or Mirror of Roman Magnificence. The image shows a bird’s eye view of the baths, and the names of the different rooms are carefully labeled in Latin. It was made in Rome, at a time when the city’s ancient history was being rediscovered. The print embodies this renewed interest in classical antiquity, driven by the humanist movement and papal patronage. This print served not just as a record, but also as a source of inspiration for contemporary architects and artists. The engraver looked at the baths' ruins to create a faithful depiction of the ancient structure, making informed choices about its design and layout. The social role of this print was to disseminate knowledge and stimulate interest in the architectural achievements of the Roman Empire. Today, art historians study prints like this alongside archaeological reports, architectural treatises, and social histories to get a better sense of the ways in which classical antiquity shaped early modern European culture.