Discovery of the Remains of Raphael in the Pantheon in Rome - Stéphane Pannemaker

A detailed wood engraving depicting the 1833 exhumation of Raphael in the Pantheon, based on a drawing by Hippolyte Pauquet.

This wood engraving by Stéphane Pannemaker depicts the 1833 exhumation of the Renaissance master Raphael within the Pantheon in Rome. The composition is based on an original drawing by Hippolyte Pauquet, which itself was inspired by the work of Horace Vernet. The scene captures a solemn moment of historical discovery, where figures in period attire observe the opening of the tomb. The architectural setting is rendered with precision, focusing on the heavy masonry of the Pantheon and the classical sculpture positioned above the burial site.

Pannemaker, a highly skilled engraver, employs a variety of line weights to differentiate textures: the rough stone of the tomb, the soft fabric of the ecclesiastical robes, and the metallic sheen of the hanging lamps. The lighting is directed to draw the eye toward the centre of the composition, where the remains are revealed. This work reflects the nineteenth-century fascination with historical narratives and the veneration of artistic figures from the past. The print serves as a record of a specific cultural event, documenting the physical reality of the Pantheon as it appeared during the nineteenth century.

The engraving technique allows for a high degree of detail, particularly in the rendering of the figures and the surrounding environment. By translating a drawing into a woodblock print, Pannemaker makes the historical scene accessible to a wider audience, typical of the illustrative practices of the period. The composition maintains a balance between the architectural weight of the Pantheon and the human element of the observers, creating a sense of quiet gravity. This piece is an example of the technical proficiency required in nineteenth-century reproductive printmaking, where the engraver acted as a bridge between the original artist's vision and the printed page.