Roma svbterranea novissima : in qva post Antonivm Bosivm antesignanvm, Io. Severanvm congreg. oratorii presbytervm, et celebres alios scriptores : antiqva Christianorvm et praecipue martyrun cœmeteria, titvli, monimenta, epitaphia, inscriptiones ac nobiliora sanctorvm sepvlchra, sex libris distincta illustrantvr et qvamplvrimae res ecclesiasticae iconibvs graphice describuntur, ac multiplici tum sacra, tum profana eruditione declarantur : cum duplici indice, capitum & rerum locupletissimo : opera et stvdio
Roma subterranea novissima is a 1651 Roman folio by the priest Paolo Aringhi, printed in Rome for Christian antiquarians and scholars, describing the catacombs, cemeteries and martyr tombs of the city. Its engraved plates show sarcophagus reliefs with processions and figures set inside ornamental scroll frames, and ceilings divided into panels with small scenes and foliage. A designer might take the dense, boxed layouts of carved narrative panels and the strapwork cartouches as models for framed, symmetrical page arrangements.
