Illustration
Although the title under this etching reads "camera sepolcrale inventata"—imaginary sepulchral chamber—it is likely based on the great columbaria for the slaves of Livia and Augustus, which, we know from other etchings, Piranesi did see (Ignoring the statuary, sphinx, and the poor man's tile graves in the foreground). The treasure hunters looting this imaginary columbarium are also evident in other etchings of the time.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
L'hoir, F. S. (2014, October 19). Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3154/giovanni-battista-piranesi-etching-of-a-columbariu/
Chicago Style
L'hoir, Francesca Santoro. "Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 19, 2014. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3154/giovanni-battista-piranesi-etching-of-a-columbariu/.
MLA Style
L'hoir, Francesca Santoro. "Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 19 Oct 2014. Web. 21 Feb 2025.
