Map of the Antonine column 

This is Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s etching, Map of the Antonine Column. The work is constructed on the interplay of geometric forms and precise lines, offering both an architectural diagram and an aesthetic experience. The composition is dominated by the circular form of the column's interior, carefully segmented into radiating sections. Piranesi uses contrasting tones to distinguish between structural elements, thus emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow within the column's design. The meticulous detail in the lines and gradations invites a reading that goes beyond simple architectural representation. The semiotic structure here reveals a fascination with classical architecture and the way space is organized and understood. Piranesi challenges the viewer to engage with the drawing as both a functional map and an artistic statement. The artwork functions as a cultural artifact, providing insight into the architecture of its time.