drawing
- Museum number
- 1936,0704.12
- Description
-
Within the Colosseum; view looking through a single arch in the foreground, to open space and the ruins of the outside wall beyond overgrown with vegetation
Watercolour, over graphite
- Production date
- 1749-1831
- Dimensions
-
Height: 346 millimetres
-
Width: 509 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- This is one of a series of views of the interior of the Colosseum by Smith, here seen through an arch in the foreground, which frames part of the ruins and the arena. The viewpoint is very close and deep shadow is cast on part of the arch on the right, while the arena and background are brighter.
The colours are warm and his delineation of the rocks is very unusual: the vegetation is drawn with ink and graphite and the foliage seems to cover everything, producing an usually picturesque and delicate view.
This watercolour is one of a group of 46 watercolours from the collection of the Earl of Warwick; for information on the whole group, see 1936,0704.6
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
1981 BM P&D, 'Francis Towne and John 'Warwick Smith', no cat.
- Acquisition date
- 1936
- Acquisition notes
- Warwick sale.
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1936,0704.12