1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Colosseum is a 1646 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows the Colosseum, a giant oval stone arena packed with arches and crumbling walls. In front, a crowd of tiny figures fills the lower tier, while a few boats float on the water at the bottom. The background has a tall tower and scattered trees, all drawn with sharp lines. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in carved grooves, creating rich shadows and textures. The crowd looks busy, but their faces are small—just dots in the grand scene. Next, check out how etching works to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
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