The Roman antiquities, t. 3, Plate XXV. Details of the ornaments of the burial chambers above (inc. by Girolamo Rossi). 

This engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi details the ornamentation of ancient Roman burial chambers using ink on paper. The stark monochrome rendering gives prominence to the geometric precision of the architectural elements, evoking a sense of classical austerity and meticulous documentation. The composition emphasizes a structural interplay between linear forms and spatial depth. Piranesi presents these antiquities not merely as relics, but as constructed signs laden with cultural meaning. Consider, for example, how the careful rendering of moldings and niches functions as a semiotic code, communicating the values of order, permanence, and commemoration that were central to Roman society. The arrangement on the page mirrors the archaeological method of isolating and classifying objects, thus imposing a modern system of knowledge onto the fragmented remains of the past. The use of scale—note the inclusion of a ‘Palmi’ scale— highlights a tension between objective measurement and subjective interpretation. This functions within the broader discourse of archaeology and the Enlightenment's pursuit of knowledge through empirical observation, while simultaneously acknowledging the constructed nature of historical narratives.