$1150

David Van Galen

Exhibition: 83rd International Open Exhibition Form

Painting Width: 14

Painting Height: 20

Medium: Watercolor

The Roman Colosseum is a masterpiece, not only of architecture, but of human accommodation. It's entry and exiting strategy, still largely copied in modern arena design, was revolutionary for the time. Consisting of over 70 passageways, it allowed 50,000+ spectators to evacuate in 5-10 minutes, as well as providing ready access to the arena floor for performances. One of those passageways (now off limits to visitors) caught my attention from a distance as the light streamed through - grazing the exposed rough stone and brick structure while illuminating the marble and travertine cut stone pieces, now scattered on the floor, that had once lined the walls. It occurred to me that this passageway, up and into the light, may well have been the final journey for many a gladiator. Rome, Italy Painted from a photo taken on a tour of Rome and Umbria.