Vedute: The Colosseum. Bird’s Eye View

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Vedute: The Colosseum. Bird’s Eye View

Artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi (Italian, 1720-1778)

Dateabout 1772-1778

DimensionsSheet: 20 1/8 × 29 7/8 in. (51.1 × 75.9 cm)
Image: 19 5/8 × 28 in. (49.8 × 71.1 cm)

MediumEtching

ClassificationPrints

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1981.29

Not on View

Label TextThe Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built during the time of the Roman Empire. Its construction began around 70 CE and was completed ten years later. Situated just east of the Roman Forum, the Colosseum was used to present public spectacles, including gladiatorial combat, for nearly 500 years. In the early medieval period the building ceased to be used for entertainment. From then it functioned as everything from housing, to workshops, to a fortress, and even a Christian shrine, as it was at the time Piranesi etched this view (note the monumental crucifix in the center of the arena). Piranesi was so skilled in perspective and had such a thorough knowledge of the building and its construction, that he was able to produce this view as if he had seen the Colosseum from the air.Exhibition HistoryTMA, 5/12/00 - 8/6/00 TMA 18th C Italian Prints: Sept.19 - ? 1981 Buildings Real and Ideal: Nov. 15, 2007 - Jan 27, 2008

Toledo Museum of Art, Fun & Games: The Pursuit of Leisure, Jun. 27-Sept. 21, 2014.