Basilica di S. Pietro in Vaticano (spine title) 1620 - 1684

Giovanni Battista Costaguti the Elder created this engraving of the Basilica di S. Pietro in Vaticano. At first glance, we see a detailed architectural plan. The layout is dominated by precise lines and geometric shapes, illustrating the basilica's structure with an almost mathematical rigor. The heavy use of text around the margins provides a structural frame, filled with lists. Costaguti's engraving functions as both an architectural document and a symbolic representation of power. The detailed rendering reflects a desire to codify and control space through visual means. The basilica, central to the Catholic Church, is presented here not merely as a building but as a structured entity governed by principles of order and design. Note how the dense detail challenges our understanding of space. The basilica, rendered flatly, becomes a diagram. This engraving is a statement about knowledge, authority, and the power of representation.