Interior of an Ancient Roman Sepulchre
1820
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1820
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Interior of an Ancient Roman Sepulchre is a 1820 ink by Antonio Pian, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a dimly lit, ruined stone room with arched ceilings and crumbling walls. In the center stands a broken tomb, its top carved like a draped sarcophagus with a small statue on it. Two figures in loose robes walk near the tomb—one holds a scroll, the other gestures toward it. The floor is uneven, and scattered ruins fill the corners, including a toppled column and a small chest. The artist used deep shadows and rough textures to make the scene feel old and mysterious. The figures look like they’re studying the tomb, maybe uncovering a secret. Want to know more? Check out the technique: lithography.
