The artwork titled “The Roman antiquities, t. 3, Plate XLIV. Pyramid of Caius Cestius map at the Port of St. Paolo” is an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi. This piece falls within the Neoclassicism art movement and belongs to the genre of design. It is part of the series “Le antichità Romane.”
The artwork depicts a detailed map of the Pyramid of Caius Cestius situated at the Port of St. Paolo. It is meticulously rendered with intricate lines and careful hatching, demonstrating Piranesi’s exceptional etching skills. The composition emphasizes architectural precision, with clear indications of directions such as Levante (east), Tramontana (north), Ponente (west), and Mezzodi (south). There is a central area marked ‘C’, possibly denoting a significant architectural feature within the pyramid’s complex, surrounded by other labeled points. At the bottom of the artwork, a scale in palms (Scala di Palmi) and a richly decorated frieze add additional layers of historical context. The piece is both an informative document of Roman architecture and a work of art, showcasing the grandeur and detail characteristic of Piranesi’s work in the Neoclassical period.
