Palatium Caesaris Parisiis, from a Series of Prints depicting (reconstructed) Buildings from Roman Antiquity

Perspectival view of a part of the complex of the Roman baths in Paris, now known as the Baths of Cluny, referred to here as the ‘Palatium Caesaris Parisiis’. What was left of the baths was incorporated into the construction of the monastery Cluny III and now part of the Musee du Cluny in Paris. The current rendition appears to show part of the frigidarium. As with other prints in this group, the building is depicted in isolation without the surrounding architecture.

The print is part of a group of architectural prints depicting buildings from Roman Antiquity, ranging from triumphal arches to bath houses, temples and palaces in Italy, France and Spain. Some of the buildings have been artificially reconstructed based on Medieval descriptions, while others are depicted in their ruinous states. The plates are known in several (uncatalogued) states, and have undergone minor changes over time. Several titles of buildings have been changed, and the plates have been cropped as a result of plate cracks and oxidation.

Most copper plates for this series have been engraved on both sides. This print is taken from the same plate as the 'Termae Diocletiani'.

This group of prints was purchased as part of an an album in 1926, but taken apart by the Museum in 1934. The album appears to have been compiled in the 17th century, although the majority of prints date from the 16th century. The larger part of the prints is focused on mythological subjects and objects and architecture from Antiquity. The album was part of the collection of the architect Hippolyte Destailleur and was sold in the sale of his books and prints in 1895. The Museum acquired the album at G. Rapilly & Fils in 1926. Where the album had been kept in the mean time is unclear and several prints were taken out in this period. The museum's numbering does not reflect the order of the original album, but Destailleur's numbering system is retained on the inidividual sheets, allowing for the reconstruction of its original content.