Plan of the tomb of Mamia and outbuildings, in Pompeii 

This print was made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, depicting the plan of a tomb in Pompeii. The lines are meticulously etched, a testament to Piranesi’s mastery of the printmaking process. What might otherwise be seen as a purely functional drawing is elevated by its detail, and by the fact that it memorializes another work of construction: the tomb itself, a heavy structure made of stone and marble. The depicted columns and statuary represent a significant investment of labor in the quarrying, carving, and construction process. The tomb emerges as a status symbol, a demonstration of wealth and power. The print thus allows us to consider the social context of Pompeii, and the hierarchies that shaped its physical landscape. Piranesi transforms the plan of a tomb into a commentary on labor, social class, and the enduring allure of classical grandeur.