RomeĀ?s Forum was not completely excavated until the 1870s. Like the many ancient sites uncovered during the 1800s, its exposure increased interest in the classical past and inspired numerous new photographs, prints and other views.

The excavations had a profound effect on revivals and reinterpretations of classical architecture,

Mosaic panel, frame, "Roman Ruins", glass / wood / paint / metal, by Biagio Barzotti, Rome, Italy, c. 1876

A micro-mosaic panel of, smalti applied, coloured glass tesserae. The format is landscape. This mosaic depicts the ruins of the Roman forum, at the time recently excavated. A few men and women meet and walk amongst the ruins. They are in the costume of the period, c.1876. The sky is blue and shadows long: dusk is approaching. The Colosseum sits, centre right, in the background.
The outer frame is ornate, painted gold. The inner frame stained timber with a gilt edge. There is a small timber label in the lower centre with the title, medium and artist's name.

Made: 1871 - 1881

Name, medium and artist, lower centre of the frame, gold paint, "ROMAN RUINS (MOSAIC) / By B. Barzotti"
Signed, bottom left of the mosaic, in red mosaic, "B. BARZOTTI / MUSAICISTA ROMA / BABBUINO 57"
Numbered, reverse centre, white chalk, "238[8](illeg. smudged)"

A4150

1871 - 1881

1261 mm

2005 mm

165 mm