Elevation of a Columbarium 1710 - 1727

Pietro Paolo Coccetti created this elevation of a columbarium with pen, brown ink, and brown wash on paper in the early 18th century. The drawing presents a grid-like structure filled with niches, reflecting ancient Roman burial practices where cremated remains were stored. In a society deeply shaped by social hierarchies, death rituals and burial sites like this columbarium offered a poignant stage for expressing status and remembrance. The evenness of the array of burial niches emphasizes a communal aspect of death, while the architecture itself evokes a sense of solemnity and order. This drawing serves as a meditation on mortality and memory within the framework of social and architectural history. It invites us to reflect on the cultural practices surrounding death and how they intersect with identity and representation.