
Read the visual description
This is a drawing of two scenes depicting ancient architectural and ceremonial themes. The upper scene illustrates a group gathered inside a classical rotunda, intricately decorated with fluted columns, relief sculptures, and a prominent statue of a nude figure holding an object. The lower scene shows another dynamic assembly where figures are engaged in a vibrant procession or ritualistic dance, some carrying objects. The imagery invokes themes of classical antiquity, with figures draped in flowing garments and captured in active postures.
National Gallery of Art · Print
An Antique Sacrifice
Luigi Ademollo
- Date
- 1820s
- Medium
- etching and aquatint on laid paper
- Dimensions
- plate: 38.6 × 26.5 cm (15 3/16 × 10 7/16 in.) sheet: 41.2 × 28.7 cm (16 1/4 × 11 5/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 2015.195.1
- Credit line
- Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
- Time span
- 1801 to 1825
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- etching
- aquatint
- classical
- secular
Provenance
(La Portantina di Mattia Jona, Milan); purchased by NGA, 2015.
NGA object ID 204915. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.