Artwork

Ichnographia Templi Divi Petri [Plan of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome]

Ichnographia Templi Divi Petri [Plan of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome] is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Étienne Dupérac. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Étienne Dupérac’s 1569 etching, titled Ichnographia Templi Divi Petri, presents a detailed plan of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Executed as a black‑and‑white print, the work depicts the basilica’s floor layout with a series of interlocking geometric forms that represent aisles, chapels, and ancillary spaces, each annotated with Latin labels along the margins.

Subject & Meaning

The image functions as a schematic representation of the interior architecture of the Vatican’s principal church, intended to convey the spatial organization of its sacred spaces. By reducing the complex three‑dimensional structure to a planar diagram, Dupérac provides viewers with a clear view of the basilica’s functional zones, from nave to transept, highlighting the relationship between structural elements and liturgical use.

Technique & Style

Created through the etching process, the print relies on incised lines on a copper plate that were inked and transferred to paper. Dupérac’s hand is evident in the precise, measured strokes that delineate walls, columns, and doorways, while the use of stippled dots marks intersections and points of entry. The overall aesthetic is utilitarian, favoring accuracy over ornamental embellishment.

History & Provenance

Surviving copies are held in several European collections, reflecting the work’s role as a reference tool for the study of Saint Peter’s evolving design.

The etching was produced in the late Renaissance, a period when architectural documentation became increasingly important for scholars and patrons. Dupérac, a French artist active in Italy, circulated such plans among architects and antiquarians. Surviving copies are held in several European collections, reflecting the work’s role as a reference tool for the study of Saint Peter’s evolving design.