The artwork titled “Temple of Pola in Istria” by Giovanni Battista Piranesi belongs to the Neoclassicism art movement and falls under the genre of cityscape.
The artwork presents an intricate and detailed portrayal of an ancient architectural site, likely a Roman amphitheater, characterized by its grand and imposing structure. The illustration features rows of ascending stone seats arranged in a semi-circular form, indicative of classical amphitheater design, with various levels of arches supported by columns. The detailing captures the decayed yet majestic remnants of the structure, showing signs of ruin and overgrowth. The foreground includes a few small human figures, which provide scale and further emphasize the enormity of the architectural marvel. The precision in the etching demonstrates Piranesi’s meticulous skill and his reverence for classical antiquity, capturing a moment frozen in time that reflects the grandeur of historical edifices in Istria.
