Framed Neoclassical Antique Grand Tour Style 18th Century Engraving Battle Scene

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This striking 18th-century etching, titled "King Priam Begs Achilles for the Body of Hector," is a powerful example of neoclassical … Read more This striking 18th-century etching, titled "King Priam Begs Achilles for the Body of Hector," is a powerful example of neoclassical art and storytelling. This engraving was extracted from the pages of Johann Joachim Winckelmann’s landmark 1767 publication Monumenti Antichi Inediti (Volume 2, Plate No. 134). Based on an ancient Roman relief, possibly from a sarcophagus once housed at Villa Borghese in Rome, this image depicts one of the most poignant scenes from Homer’s Iliad. At the far right, an aged and grieving King Priam kneels before the youthful, armored Achilles, humbling himself to retrieve the body of his slain son, Hector. Around them are mourning figures, soldiers, and attendants, captured in a composition that is rich with emotion, movement, and classical symbolism.

The finely rendered engraving, attributed to an anonymous Italian artist of the 18th century, conveys both narrative drama and stylistic elegance. The figures, with their draped garments and expressive gestures, are arranged in high relief style, evoking the timeless grandeur of ancient Roman funerary art. Beneath the print, in period pencil notation, are the words “Villa Borghese” and a caption translating to “Priam asks for Hector’s body from Achilles.”

Overall measures 14.5 inches wide and 10 inches high. The engraved image measures 9.75 inches by 5.25 inches. The print is beautifully presented in a 1930s-era black wooden frame with a dark gray matte, complementing its classical mood and enhancing its visual impact. The presentation evokes the refined aesthetic of the Grand Tour — a time when affluent European travelers collected artworks that reflected their education, taste, and reverence for antiquity. Good antique condition with signs of age-related wear and light foxing. Please review the photos for further condition assessment.

This rare and evocative piece serves as more than just an antique print — it’s a timeless tribute to love, loss, and the enduring values of courage and mercy. A superb decorative accent for a study, library, or gallery wall, this etching brings a sense of neoclassical sophistication to any space and would make an extraordinary gift for collectors, historians, or lovers of classical literature and art. See less