The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina 

This drawing of The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina was created by Francesco Piranesi using pen and brown ink. The dominant visual experience is structured around the temple’s architectural form. Piranesi employs a precise linework to define the imposing columns and the intricate details of the temple's facade. The drawing is built around vertical lines which create a sense of height and monumentality. Piranesi’s work reflects the 18th-century fascination with classical antiquity, and its rediscovery through art and archaeology. The ruins are not just historical artifacts, but also structural elements that convey ideas about time and memory. Piranesi uses the semiotic system of architectural signs to reflect on the cultural codes that shaped both ancient Rome and his own era. Through the temple’s linear framework, Piranesi invites us to explore the layers of meaning embedded in the drawing, acknowledging that art is an ongoing interpretation, shaped by both the artist’s intentions and our perceptions.