Sant'Antoniono in Piacenza 24 - 1827

Here we have Friedrich Maximilian Hessemer’s drawing, “Sant'Antoniono in Piacenza”, created with graphite on paper. It depicts the basilica through a delicate interplay of lines and light. Hessemer uses hatching and cross-hatching to define the architectural forms, from the pointed arches to the geometric tower. The basilica dominates the composition, its facade presented head-on. This frontal view emphasizes the structure's symmetry and height, drawing the eye upwards along its vertical lines. Hessemer's emphasis on linear perspective and the architectural elements underscores a broader concern with rationality and order. The understated style reflects an objective observation, a commitment to recording the visual world with precision. However, rather than fix the basilica’s meaning, the drawing offers a space for ongoing interpretation, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between architecture, representation, and the act of seeing itself.