Anfiteatro di Pompei
Italian
Description
Subject Matter:
This photograph represents the amphitheater of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, now in ruins. Pompeii, along with its neighbor Herculaneum, was destroyed by the eurption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which buried and thereby preserved the two cities in ash, pumice, and dirt. Since their rediscovery in the eighteenth century, Pompeii and Herculaneum have become major sites of conservation, tourism, as well as plunder. This photograph was made from a high vantage down onto the central arena of the amphitheater, where five (possibly six) human figures stand immobile. The symmetrical, semi-panoramic view emphasizes the expansive structure, while the presence of nineteenth-century visitors provides a sense of scale. The diaphanous silhouette of Mount Vesuvius dominates the background, a visual reminder of the powerful natural phenomenon that destroyed the city.
Physical Description:
Photograph of large outdoor theatre. This is an overhead shot of the theatre; the stage and surrounding seats are visible.
Eva Caston 2017
Usage Rights:
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