Image Details

An 18th century artist drew this sketch from a wall painting (now lost) in the catacomb of Domitilla. It seems to be a portrait of the deceased, Diogenes the digger, who was buried “in peace on the 8th day before the Kalens of October.” In his right hand he holds his pick, the main tool of his trade. In his left hand he has an oil lamp suspended from a metal rod that could be stuck into the wall where he was working. Around him are other tools, hammers, picks and dividers, to mark out the sites. Behind him are the results of his work, the niches and graves marked out on the walls. His robe is decorated with swastikas.