Gezicht op het interieur van de Sint-Jan van Lateranen in Rome before 1898

This monochrome print offers a view into the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, a place steeped in history and architectural grandeur. The anonymous artist captures the church’s interior with striking linear precision and tonal variation which guide the viewer's eye. The composition is dominated by receding lines and the symmetry of the architectural elements which create a sense of depth. We see arches, columns, and ceiling panels, each rendered with meticulous detail. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the texture of the stone and the three-dimensional form of the space. This print invites us to consider the underlying structure of perception. The Basilica, through its ordered design and geometrical harmony, becomes more than just a building: it represents the spatial embodiment of power, order, and the sacred. The Basilica becomes a semiotic construction that shapes both perception and understanding of institutional authority.