|
||
|
|
|
|
Very scarce plan of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, which originally appeared in Montanus's Polyglot Bible.
This exquisite circa 1572 engraving, titled Templi Ierosolymitani antiqui, cum atriis, cellis, et porticibus aliisque locis (Ancient Jerusalem Temple, with courtyards, cells, porticoes, and other places), offers a detailed and intricate portrayal of the ancient Jerusalem Temple and its surrounding structures.
The engraving captures the architectural beauty and complexity of the Jerusalem Temple, featuring courtyards, cells, porticoes, and various other spaces that were significant in the religious and cultural life of the ancient city. The artist has meticulously rendered each aspect of the temple complex, giving viewers a vivid glimpse into the past and the significance of this sacred site.
As a historical artifact, the engraving provides valuable insight into the architectural and cultural history of ancient Jerusalem. The attention to detail and the skillful execution of the engraving demonstrate the artist's dedication to accurately depicting the temple complex, despite the limited knowledge and resources available at the time.
Montanus's Polyglot Bible was the source of much consternation at the time that it was published. It was compiled using early sources by some of the foremost Humanists of northern Europe and published by Plantin's leading press. However, the use of Aramaic sources caused issues in Montanus's native Spain, where he was accused of being overly forgiving to Jewish writers, an issue that required Montanus to visit Pope Gregory XIII.
