Not on display
- Artist
- Joseph Wright of Derby 1734–1797
- Medium
- Graphite, ink and watercolour on paper
- Dimensions
- Support: 381 × 507 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
- Reference
- T08590
Display caption
The Colosseum is one of the most impressive of all the great monuments of classical Rome. Constructed between AD 72 and 80, it was used for gladiatorial combats, games and other festivities. Because of its immense scale, it could only be shown in its entirety from a distant viewpoint. Some artists, like Wright, instead chose to depict a section of the arcade, stressing its monumentality. This dramatic composition is reminiscent of the powerful etchings made by the Italian printmaker and architect Piranesi, and may indeed have been inspired by his example.
Gallery label, April 2007
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.
Explore
- architecture(41,336)
- periods and styles(5,197)
-
- classical(1,043)
- places of entertainment(632)
-
- amphitheatre(75)
- ruins(3,719)
- natural phenomena(3,193)
-
- shadow(1,320)
- cities, towns, villages (non-UK)(13,291)
-
- Rome, Colosseum(43)
- Italy(4,478)
You might like
-
John Downman The Colosseum, Rome
1774 -
William Pars The Interior of the Colosseum
c.1775 -
Heneage Finch, Fourth Earl of Aylesford An Amphitheatre, Possibly in Sicily
date not known -
Richard Wilson Circus of Caracalla
date not known -
British School 18th century The Colosseum from Within
date not known -
Joseph Mallord William Turner, Thomas Girtin Tivoli: A View inside the Castle
c.1794–8 -
Joseph Wright of Derby Nice. A Tower on a Hill. Verso: The Same Ruined Castle
date not known -
Attributed to Joseph Wright of Derby Lower End of Winandermere. Verso: Drawing
1787 -
Richard Wilson A Statue in an Amphitheatre
date not known -
Attributed to Joseph Wright of Derby From Heversham
1787 -
Attributed to Charles Gore The Temple of Ceres, Segesta
date not known -
Attributed to Joseph Wright of Derby Landgollen
1788 -
Attributed to Joseph Wright of Derby Lake of Keswick and Skiddaw
1793 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner, Thomas Girtin The Amphitheatre of Ancient Capua
c.1794–8 -
Joseph Mallord William Turner Inside the Colosseum, Rome
1819