A pair of 19th century Italian Grand Tour micro-mosaic panels, one depicting the Colosseum and the other a view of the Roman Forum
the former showing the Collosseum with the Titus fountain to the central right foreground, the latter showing the arch of Septimius Severus, the ruins of the Temple of Vespasian, with its three surviving Corinthian columns, and the Temple of Saturn to its right, the distance with the single column of Foca, mounted within period gilt gesso and carved wood frames, 18.3cm x 25.2cm and 18.8cm x 25.6cm
注脚
The Colloseum, also known as the Amphitheatre of Flavius, is one of the most recognisable of the Ancient Roman monuments. Emperor Vespasaian started building it in 72AD and it was completed by his son Titus. It was referred to as the Colloseum after the year 1000, possibly because of a giant statue nearby of Emperor Nero, the 'Colossus Neronis Helios.' The site was declared a sacred place in 1780, partly to stop the plundering of its treasures and marbles. Of all the micromosaic versions of this scene, perhaps the best known one was made by Luigi Gallandt. His studio at in 7-8 Piazza di Spagna had an advertisement which stated: 'Manufacture of Mosaic, founded in 1850 by Chevalier L. Gallandt. Foreign gentlemen are entreated to honour this establishment with their visit. In it they will find a great assortment of mosaics.'Gallandt also produced one of the most detailed micro mosaics of the Roman forum which, unlike this example, showed the temple of Castor and Pollux, the Church of Santa Maria Antiqua and the Colloseum. Examples of these two sites being depicted in micro mosaics, by Gallandt and Domenico Moglia can be found in the Gilbert Collection catalogue, published by Philip Wilson.Literature: The Gilbert Collection, Micromosaics, by Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Philip Wilson Publishers