Half figure depicting a priest with the holy water, by Guercino 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this engraving of a half-figure depicting a priest, rendered entirely in monochrome. The composition is immediately striking. The figure is positioned asymmetrically, drawing our eye to the contrast between the dark, dense hatching of the background and the lighter, more delicate lines defining the priest's form. Notice how the lines create texture, particularly in the rendering of the priest's robes. This use of line and texture can be seen as a semiotic system, where each stroke conveys information about form and materiality. The open book and the pot beside the priest serve as signs pointing to intellectual and ritualistic contexts. Piranesi destabilizes the traditional religious portrait by focusing on the material qualities of the image itself. The stark contrast and intricate details draw attention to the medium. The piece compels us to consider how such formal elements not only depict reality but also construct meaning. By emphasizing line and form, Piranesi turns a religious figure into a study of artistic expression.