The artwork titled “The Roman antiquities, t. 4, Plate XXXI. Section one of the wedges of the Theatre of Marcellus” is an etching by the artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi. Falling within the Neoclassicism art movement, this piece belongs to the genre of design and is part of the series “Le antichità Romane”.
The artwork presents an architectural cross-section of a segment of the Theatre of Marcellus, a significant ancient Roman structure. The etching is meticulously detailed, illustrating the theater’s layered stonework and the system of arches and columns. The section highlights various architectural elements, including dividing walls, pathways, and foundational supports, labeled with letters corresponding to an explanatory legend below the image. The precise lines and shading capture the grandiosity and complexity of Roman architecture, reflecting Piranesi’s profound dedication to documenting antiquities. The arrangement enables one to visualize the interior design and construction techniques employed in one of Rome’s historic theaters.
