Archaeologists
Edward Wedlake Brayley was a British writer, historian, archaeologist and topographer.
Notable among Brayley's works are A Topographical History of Surrey, Lambeth Palace, Topographical Sketches of Brighthelmston, and Londiniana. Braley often collaborated with the topographer and antiquarian John Britton in the creation of his books. The text in his books was illustrated with woodcuts and engraved steel plates.
Britton and Brayley's long-standing collaboration also resulted in the popular series "Beauties of England and Wales," published from 1801 to 1818. Several volumes were planned, dealing with the history and topography of England and Wales, illustrated with views of picturesque scenes and important places. The series eventually expanded to twenty-five large volumes, published over a period of nearly twenty years.
Maximilien de Ring was a nineteenth-century German artist of French descent. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, landscape painter, illustrator, lithographer, historian and archaeologist.
Maximilien de Ring was born in Bonn and worked in Paris, but concentrated on studying the history and culture of Southwest Germany and Alsace. He became famous for his paintings of scenic views of German castles, as well as his publications on history, archaeology, and architecture. He also illustrated his publications, including albums on Celtic and Roman settlements.
Eugène Flandin was a French artist and archaeologist. He is best known for his watercolor paintings of ancient monuments and landscapes in the Middle East, as well as his contributions to the field of Orientalist studies.
Flandin received his artistic training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under the painter Horace Vernet. He later went on to become a professor of archaeology and Oriental languages at the Collège de France.
Flandin's artistic work focused primarily on the ancient ruins and landscapes of the Middle East. Flandin was also a pioneer in the field of Orientalist studies, which focused on the art, culture, and history of the Middle East. He conducted extensive research on Persian and Ottoman art and architecture, and published several books on the subject.
Sir William Douglas Hamilton was a British diplomat, archaeologist and volcanologist, a famous collector, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of London.
He served as British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples from 1764 to 1800, but most importantly, he was a passionate researcher of history, art and natural sciences and was a member of the Society of Dilettantes, established for the purpose of studying ancient art.
In Naples, Hamilton amassed a unique collection of antique vases and published an illustrated book about them. In parallel, Sir Hamilton studied the volcanoes Vesuvius and Etna, local volcanic and seismic activity, and the causes of earthquakes in the Neapolitan territory. As a corresponding member of the Royal Society, he sent the results of his research to London. His publications were very valuable for the time.
Thomas Edward Lawrence was a British scholar-archaeologist, military intelligence and strategist, writer and poet.
Thomas studied at the High School and Jesus College, Oxford, studying medieval military architecture in particular, researching Crusader castles in France and in Syria and Palestine. Then in the early 1900s he took part in an excavation, though more likely a cartographic reconnaissance from Gaza to Aqaba for strategic military purposes. The study was published in 1915 under the title The Wilderness of Zin (The Wilderness of Zin).
At the outbreak of World War I, Lawrence became a member of the cartographic staff of the War Office in London, tasked with producing a militarily useful map of Sinai. From 1914, with the rank of lieutenant, he was already active in various operations in Cairo and other Arab countries. It is believed that Lawrence made a significant contribution to the victory of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire, and locals gave him the nickname Lawrence of Arabia.
Lawrence had time to work on his war memoirs as well, publishing a book about his activities, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, in 1926. Also of interest are his poignant service chronicle "The Mint" and a considerable amount of correspondence. He was commissioned by book designer Bruce Rogers to translate Homer's Odyssey into English. Lawrence also wrote over 100 poems, which were published in the collection Minorities in 1971.
After World War I, Lawrence worked for the British Foreign Office and served in the Royal Air Force. He died in a motorcycle accident in May 1935 at the age of 46.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi was an 18th-century Italian painter, engraver, architect, and archaeologist who represented Neoclassicism and Romanticism. He was famous for creating a lot of original etchings with images of antique architecture monuments.
Giovanni Piranesi created hundreds of drawings and drafts in which he depicted the reconstructed ruins of ancient Roman buildings. His works are still used as teaching aids in the education of architectural students in many prestigious European universities. Piranesi periodically printed voluminous books with dozens of his own engravings depicting modified ancient architectural masterpieces - "graphic fantasies". His works were in demand among professional architects, who borrowed Piranesi's original ideas for their designs.
The peak of Piranesi's career came in the 1760s when, in recognition of his merits, he became an honorary member of the Guild of St. Luke and received from the Pope the title of Knight of the Golden Spur.
More than 700 of the master's original etchings have survived, printed in scholarly works.
Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich (Russian: Никола́й Константи́нович Ре́рих) was a distinguished Russian artist, writer, archaeologist, and philosopher, renowned for his profound contributions to culture and art. His multifaceted career spanned various disciplines, but it was his exceptional talent in painting that immortalized his name among the greats. Roerich's art is celebrated for its mystical and symbolic themes, often drawing inspiration from Russian folklore, religion, and his own spiritual quests. His dedication to cultural preservation and peace through art led to the establishment of the Roerich Pact, a treaty advocating for the protection of cultural heritage.
Roerich's paintings are characterized by vibrant colors and intricate details, capturing the ethereal beauty of landscapes and mythical scenes. His works, such as "Madonna Laboris" and the series "Sancta," are revered for their spiritual depth and artistic excellence. These masterpieces can be found in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, serving as testaments to Roerich's enduring legacy in the art world. His commitment to integrating spiritual and cultural dimensions in his art has made him a seminal figure for collectors and experts in art and antiques.
Roerich's influence extends beyond his paintings; his philosophical writings and cultural initiatives have also left a significant mark on the fields of art and heritage preservation. As enthusiasts of art and antiquities continue to explore Roerich's rich legacy, there is a growing appreciation for his vision of unity and harmony through cultural expression. For those captivated by Roerich's remarkable life and works, signing up for updates is an invaluable opportunity to stay informed about new product sales and auction events dedicated to his art. This subscription is a gateway to exclusive insights and offerings that celebrate the legacy of Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich, ensuring enthusiasts remain connected to the evolving exploration of his profound contributions.
Heinrich Schliemann, full name Johann Ludwig Heinrich Julius Schliemann, was a German self-taught archaeologist, entrepreneur, and writer.
He conducted business in Russia and the United States, but at the age of 36, he realized his long-held dream and engaged in prehistoric archaeology. Schliemann traveled extensively in Greece, Italy, Scandinavia, Germany, France, and Syria before traveling around the world, visiting India, China, and Japan and writing a book about the latter two countries.
Schliemann became known for his archaeological excavations of the legendary Troy, Mycenae, and his books and publications on the findings were a success with the public. Critics, however, perceived his work in the field as unprofessional, believing that he did more damage to ancient artifacts than actually served the study of history.
Dominique Vivant, Baron Denon was a French artist, writer, diplomat, author, and archaeologist. Denon was a diplomat for France under Louis XV and Louis XVI. He was appointed as the first Director of the Louvre museum by Napoleon after the Egyptian campaign of 1798-1801, and is commemorated in the Denon Wing of the modern museum and in the Dominique-Vivant Denon Research Center. His two-volume Voyage dans la basse et la haute Egypte ("Journey in Lower and Upper Egypt"), 1802, was foundational for modern Egyptology.
John Obadiah Westwood was a British entomologist and archaeologist, artist, and a Fellow of the Linnean Society.
John Westwood was the first Hope Professor at Oxford University, where he held the Chair of Invertebrate Zoology. He made a significant contribution to Australian entomology and wrote a large number of papers between 1835 and 1864.
Westwood was a good illustrator and published several illustrated works on insects and antiquities. He did not travel himself, but described insect species from around the world based on specimens, especially large, outlandish, and colorful ones obtained by naturalists and collectors in England. In 1855 the scientist was awarded the Royal Medal of the Royal Society of London.
