Another View of the Temple of Aesculapius

This folio architectural engraving is from Robert Adam’s Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia. The work was published in London for the author in 1764.

Adam’s work was a stunning record of the Diocletian’s Palace. Adam studied under the architect, Charles-Louis Clerisseau, to prepare and complete the engravings for the book. Some of the engravings were likely based on Clerisseau’s original drawings. Some were based on F. Bartolozzi and F. Zucchi’s work. The Critical Review stated the engravings had “a taste and execution that has never been equalled in this country [England].”

Provenance: Ownership signature of Robert Stevenson to the title page, Library of Stevenson Lighthouse Engineers