Obelisk voor de Santa Maria Maggiore by Giovanni Maggi

Obelisk voor de Santa Maria Maggiore 1576 - 1618

aged paper

mechanical pen drawing

old engraving style

sketch book

personal sketchbook

sketchwork

pen-ink sketch

pen work

sketchbook drawing

storyboard and sketchbook work

This engraving by Giovanni Maggi, created between 1576-1618, depicts the Obelisk of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The image shows the obelisk in the foreground, its tall, slender form dominating the composition. Behind it are the basilica and its surrounding buildings, including the Mausoleum of Augustus. The inscription on the obelisk base, "SISTVS VPM," refers to Pope Sixtus V, who commissioned its relocation. This detailed etching provides a glimpse into the urban landscape of Renaissance Rome, highlighting the importance of ancient monuments in the city’s architecture.