St. Peter's, drum, exterior, elevation (recto) St. Peter's, tribune, entablature, section and details (verso) 1500 - 1560

This anonymous drawing depicts an elevation of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, rendered in ink on paper. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the design and construction of St. Peter's became a powerful symbol of the Catholic Church's authority and wealth, especially in response to the Protestant Reformation. Architectural drawings like these played a crucial role in shaping the basilica's final form, as different architects proposed different designs that had to align with the Pope's vision of the social and political role of the church. This drawing, with its precise details of the drum's exterior and the tribune's entablature, exemplifies the period’s architectural ambitions. The use of classical elements—columns and symmetrical forms—conveys a sense of timelessness and order, aligning the Church with the grandeur of the Roman Empire. To better understand the drawing, one might consult archives, letters, and other drawings to uncover the intentions and the institutional politics that shaped this historical landmark.