Artwork
Amphitheatre, Pola, Istria
Amphitheatre, Pola, Istria is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Glennie. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The sky is light and soft, blending into the hills, while the theater’s curved seats and walls are detailed in earthy tones.
This watercolor shows a wide view of an old stone amphitheater built into a hillside. The ruins sit by the water, with a few small buildings nearby and a distant shoreline. The sky is light and soft, blending into the hills, while the theater’s curved seats and walls are detailed in earthy tones.
The artist focused on how light hits the stones, making some areas brighter and others shadowy. This drawing was made in 1866, and the artist was trying to capture a real place, not just imagine it.
Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.
Overview
Amphitheatre, Pola, Istria is a watercolour created in 1866, depicting the ancient amphitheatre in Pula, Istria, with the artwork signed and dated by the artist.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is the Pola amphitheatre, situated on a hillside near water, surrounded by minimal buildings and a distant shoreline. The artwork aims to capture the actuality of the site rather than a imagined representation.
Technique & Style
The watercolour employs earthy tones to detail the theatre's structure, contrasting with a soft, light sky that blends into the hills. The artist emphasizes the interplay of light on the stone, creating varying degrees of brightness and shadow.
History & Provenance
Created in 1866, the artwork is a firsthand representation of the amphitheatre's state at that time. The artist's signature and date are present, though the artist's name is not specified here.
Context
Part of a broader 19th-century interest in documenting ancient ruins, this work reflects the era's travel and topographical art traditions.
Legacy
Similar works can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, indicating the piece's alignment with contemporary watercolour practices and archival value.
Artist & collection
Artist
Glennie is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:Alick Glennie (1925—2003), British computer scientist Alison Glennie, British actress Angus Glennie, Lord Glennie, Scottish judge Bill Glennie (1924—2005),…
