After the rediscovery and un-earthing of Herculaneum (1738) and it's neighboring town Pompeii (1748), many artists were commissioned to record the events and findings. The early works are typically copperplate engravings of statues, mosaics, architecture, household articles, paintings, diggings, etc. By mid 18th century, the 'classics' were starting to be in vogue. Philosophy, art, architecture, literature, and even fashion drew upon the discoveries of Pompeii and Herculaneum for inspiration, helping to start the neoclassical movement.

The plates are uniformly colored and generally very clean - scanning yields uneven results. Plates have wide margins, scans are cropped to printed area. We have hundreds in stock.