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.
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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
Print
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.