Theatre of Marcellus, reproduction of Giovanni Battista Piranesi

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Giovanni Battista Piranesi's engraving of the Theatre of Marcellus is part of his famous series "Vedute di Roma".

The Theatre of Marcellus, an imposing structure dating back to ancient Rome, was begun by Julius Caesar and completed and dedicated by Augustus between 13 and 11 BC to his nephew Marcellus. Originally an open-air theatre, it could hold between 15,000 and 20,000 spectators. Its façade, with two superimposed tiers of arches adorned with Doric and Ionic half-columns (and a third upper tier, now lost, probably with Corinthian columns), served as a model for later Roman amphitheatres, including the Colosseum.

Over the centuries the Theatre of Marcellus underwent profound transformations. In the Middle Ages, given its strategic position near the Tiber, it was converted into a fortress and became the property of powerful noble families such as the Pierleoni and the Fabi. In the Renaissance, the Palazzo Orsini, still visible today, was built on top of its arches, incorporating much of the ancient structure. This layering of eras and functions is something Piranesi often emphasised in his views.

Product specifications

Print: handmade Amalfi paper with frame
Sheet size: 29 x 42 cm (11.4 x 16.5 in)
With frame: 31 x 44 cm (12.2 x 17.3 in);
Material: artwork printed on very fine handmade Amalfi paper with deckled edges, handmade beech wood frame