Interior of the Colosseum

Ippolito Caffi

Associated Names
Ippolito Caffi

Artist, Italian, 1809 - 1866

The image shows the interior of an ancient circular structure, possibly an amphitheater. Two figures are seated on the ground, one appears to be drawing. More figures stand nearby, providing scale to the structure. The background features a bright sky with a few clouds, surrounded by the curved walls of the structure. The top of the walls forms the horizon line, depicting decay and sporadic greenery. The painting style is light and fluid, resembling watercolors. Warm earth tones are used for the ruins and lush greens for vegetation, while the sky is a soft blue.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor and gouache over graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Joseph F. McCrindle Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 21.3 x 31.6 cm (8 3/8 x 12 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2009.70.66

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York; Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation, 2008; gift to NGA, 2009.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2012

  • The McCrindle Gift: A Distinguished Collection of Drawings and Watercolors. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2012, 116-117, no. 47 (entry by Carolina Mangone).

Inscriptions

by unknown hand on mat, upper right in pen and black ink: 5; by unknown hand, lower center in graphite: 14 x 16 16; by unknown hand on mat, upper left verso in graphite (scratched out): 90 / 290; by unknown hand on mat, upper left verso in graphite: 35/209/C / C; by unknown hand on mat, lower center verso in graphite: [Interno Colosseo?]

Wikidata ID

Q64574847

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