Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Corinthian base 1534 - 1540

This engraving of a Corinthian base comes from the mid-16th century. It was made in Italy by the Monogrammist G.A. & the Caltrop for the *Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae,* or "Mirror of Roman Magnificence," a collection of prints documenting ancient Roman monuments. These prints played a crucial role in shaping architectural knowledge and taste during the Renaissance. They helped disseminate classical forms and principles to a wider audience, influencing the design of buildings and monuments across Europe. They also served as a form of cultural tourism, allowing people to experience the grandeur of Rome from afar. The *Speculum* was not an official project of any single institution. It's more like a collaborative enterprise involving many artists, printers, and publishers working within the commercial print market. By studying these prints and the networks that produced them, we gain insights into the social and economic forces that shaped the Renaissance rediscovery of classical antiquity.