---
title: Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium
author: Francesca Santoro L'hoir
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3154/giovanni-battista-piranesi-etching-of-a-columbariu/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium

_Authored by Francesca Santoro L'hoir_

## Image File

[![Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3154.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3154.jpg)

## Image Caption

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](https://www.worldhistory.org/Livia_Drusilla/) and [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/), which, we know from other etchings, Piranesi did see (Ignoring the statuary, [sphinx](https://www.worldhistory.org/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.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Cite This Work

### APA
L'hoir, F. S. (2014, October 19). Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3154/giovanni-battista-piranesi-etching-of-a-columbariu/>
### Chicago
L'hoir, Francesca Santoro. "Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 19, 2014. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3154/giovanni-battista-piranesi-etching-of-a-columbariu/>.
### MLA
L'hoir, Francesca Santoro. "Giovanni Battista Piranesi: Etching of a Columbarium." *World History Encyclopedia*, 19 Oct 2014, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3154/giovanni-battista-piranesi-etching-of-a-columbariu/>.

## License & Copyright

Original image by **Francesca Santoro L'hoir**. Submitted by [Francesca Santoro L'hoir](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/Phyllida/ "User Page: Francesca Santoro L'hoir"), published on 19 October 2014. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0deed.en). This license allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to you. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.