Interieur van de Sint-Jan van Lateranen te Rome 1601 - 1652

Jan van Londerseel created this engraving, "Interior of the St. John Lateran in Rome," around the early 17th century. Immediately, the composition draws us into a world constructed through precise lines and architectural forms. The overwhelming verticality of the space, emphasized by towering arches and columns, evokes a sense of awe. Londerseel meticulously details the interior's structure, yet there is an ambiguity in the rendering of space. The repeating arches create a rhythm that both invites and disorients, challenging our perception of depth. Light and shadow play across the surfaces, emphasizing the geometric forms while also obscuring the boundaries between them. We can understand this perspective through semiotics, where the architectural elements function as signs pointing to a deeper symbolic structure. The church is not just a building; it signifies the power and order of the Catholic Church, yet the slightly distorted perspective may subtly question this established order. This print invites us to consider how architectural space is constructed and how it shapes our perception and understanding of power. It's a fascinating exploration of form and meaning in the early modern era.