Eglise des Camnicarées 1846

This 1846 original lithographic engraving after Théodore Du Moncel depicts the Église des Camnicarées (more commonly known as the Kapnikarea Church) in Athens, one of the most important surviving examples of Middle Byzantine architecture in the city. The print was published as part of the celebrated series Athènes monumentale et pittoresque, which aimed to document Greece’s architectural heritage for a European audience during the nineteenth century.

The church is shown in its urban context, animated by daily life: pedestrians, figures in traditional dress, and a horse-drawn carriage bring movement and scale to the scene. This careful integration of architecture and street life reflects the Romantic documentary spirit of the period, blending historical accuracy with atmospheric observation. The lithograph was executed by Théodore Du Moncel and figured by A. Bayot, whose collaboration produced images prized for both their precision and visual elegance.

Published in London by E. Gambart, Junin & Cie, this engraving belongs to a broader body of work that played a key role in introducing Byzantine monuments—long overshadowed by classical antiquity—to collectors, scholars, and travelers. The Kapnikarea Church, dating from the 11th century, appears here as a living monument embedded within the evolving city of Athens.

Today, this engraving is appreciated as a refined example of nineteenth-century topographical illustration. It holds significance not only for its artistic quality, but also as a historical document capturing the coexistence of Byzantine heritage and everyday urban life in post-independence Greece.

Engraving

Architecture - Greece

Monumental and Picturesque Athens Lithograph by Th. Du Moncel Illustration by A. Bayot - London published by E. Gambart Junin & Cie - Victor Delarue & Cie

Printed by Auguste Bry in Paris

Good condition, slight soiling