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Lot 55

View of the First Temple – After Benito Arias Montano – Antwerp, 1576 – Hand-Colored Engraving

Montis Domini Totiusq. Sacri Templi Exemplum ex Antiquis Descriptionibus a Bened, hand-colored engraving after Benito Arias Montano. Antwerp: Christophorus Plantinus [Christophe Plantin], 1576.
A view of the First Temple. The Heichal (Temple chamber), depicted as a six-tiered bell tower, is surrounded by four inner walls and a large external wall. Small figures and animals are depicted in the yards between the walls, with mountain peaks and other structures seen in the background. A couple of pyramids are seen on the farthest mountain. A key of the sites marked on the map is printed on the right margin.
This view of the Temple was first printed in the Biblia Polyglotta edited by Spanish orientalist Benito Arias Montano (1527-1598), published between 1568 and 1573.
Leaf: approx. 55X40.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains to margins. Minor creases. Small tears along vertical fold line (slightly affecting the engraving), repaired with strips of paper to verso. Uneven edges. The leaf is matted with strips of tape to edge.