Study for Title Page to "Thesavrvs Antiqvitatvm Romanarvm", 1696

Art Historical Context

This preparatory drawing by Dutch artist Jan Goeree served as a study for the title page of *Thesaurus Antiquitatum Romanarum* (Treasury of Roman Antiquities a major scholarly publication on ancient Roman culture first issued in 1696. Created before 1704, the sheet captures the late Baroque interest in classical revival, blending allegorical figures of men and women to evoke Rome’s enduring legacy. Such designs helped frame encyclopedic works that shaped European understanding of antiquity during the Enlightenment. Goeree’s technique—pen and gray ink with brown and gray washes over red chalk—highlights his skill in creating depth and movement within a compact format measuring roughly 13 by 8 inches. The red chalk underdrawing allowed fluid adjustments, while layered washes added dramatic contrast typical of book illustration studies. Now in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection through the 1958 gift of Helen and János Scholz, this work offers visitors a glimpse into the collaborative process between artists and publishers in the late seventeenth century.

About the Artist

Jan Goeree · 1670–1731

Comment on works: Painter; Draughtsman; Engraver; History; Subjects in landscapes