The secret of the ruins

The stone and brick ruins behind Sebastian demonstrate Mantegna’s exact knowledge of Roman architecture. What stands out is the broken away pillar to the left of Sebastian. It reveals a Greek inscription on the stone slab behind: “to ergon toy andreoy” (‘this is Andrea’s work’).

Still hidden is another word beginning with g – probably ‘graphou’, meaning ‘of the painter’. Mantegna, in the guise of an ancient architect, seems to challenge us to solve the puzzle and fill in the blanks. The horizontally layered bricks are unusual and admittedly contradict ancient building practice – to be authentic they would have to be set in an arch.