Italy - Rome; Sir William Chambers (1723 – 1796) - Anfiteatri Antichi e il Colosseo (Anfiteatro Flavio). - 1751-1760

The lot consists of two complementary boards conceived for educational use to illustrate the engineering and the geometric-visual rendering of Roman-era amphitheaters:

1. Upper Plate: Prospective Study of Elevation (The Colosseum)
Visual Content: Shows in the upper right a imposing and rigorous view of the external elevation of the Colosseum, highlighting the state of the three orders of classical arches (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) topped by the attic.
Technical Elements: On the left are present assonometric schemes and simplified geometric plans of the pillars and the supporting arch systems, studied to demonstrate the distribution of weights and the elliptical curvature of the masonry.

Title on the upper margin:

AMPHITHEATRE.

2. Lower Plate: Archaeological Plan and Analytical Section
Visual Content: In the center of the scene dominates the grand plan with an assonometric section of the cavea, revealing the exact placement of the interior rows, the circular corridors, and the monumental entrances.
Complementary Details: At the bottom left is placed a refined three-dimensional model isolated in chiaroscuro of the Colosseum, paired with a small lateral cross-section of the exterior facade. On the right, a vertical section describes the wall thickness of the stacked arches.

Condition: Good. Both sheets preserve a sharp, clean, and well-contrasted inkwork. The paper retains its natural and beautiful antique texture with wide original white margins intact beyond the imprint left by the copper plate. Signs of time: A physiological and very light yellowing is observed at the outer edges due to time and the presence of normal editorial folds. Small woodworm holes in the lower left corner in the unengraved area.