Ancient Architectural Fragments

Onofrio Panvinio, Antiquitatum Veronensium libri octo (Padua, 1647), 7.9 in x 12.2 in.

Early modern antiquarians often took an architectural approach to their study of ancient structures. Here, however, Panvinio compiles a selection of Roman capitals, column bases, and molding decorations in Verona as documents of the city's history. Notice how he carefully records the name and location of each monument. For instance, he identifies the entablature on the second row to the right as belonging to the Arch of P. Valerius Caecilius, now known as the Porta Leoni. While in the center of the third row, we see a decorative detail of the Arch of the Gavii, also known as the Arch of Vitruvius after its architect, Lucius Vitruvius Cordo. The inscription on the bottom left corner of the page preserves the name of Pliny the Younger (C. P[L]INIV[S] [SECV]NDV[S]), who was born in Como and spent much time in the area around Verona.

By removing these architectural elements from their contexts, Panvinio focuses the viewer's attention on their classical elegance and style. Elsewhere in this book, Panvinio elaborates on the history of the buildings from which these details were excerpted, thus emphasizing these monuments' value as records of Verona's ancient past and the city's importance in the Roman period.