Basil Kennett

Basil Kennett (1674-1715) was president of Corpus Christi college at Oxford University. He visited Florence, Rome, and Naples, collecting ancient books, sculpture and curiosities. This inspired him to write "Romae Antiquae Notitia, or the Antiquities of Rome". The work contained many engravings of Kennett's discoveries and vision of Roman life. It became the standard handbook about ancient Rome for more than a century.

Here are some of his engravings for you to choose from. They are genuine antiques from 1820. Close inspection reveals intriguing details!