Accession Number
1980/2.223

Title
Inside the Amphitheatre, Nismes

Artist(s)
European

Object Creation Date
mid-19th century

Medium & Support
albumen print on paper

Dimensions
8 ⅜ in x 11 in (21.27 cm x 27.94 cm);16 in x 20 ⅛ in (40.64 cm x 51.12 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. Howard Bond

Subject matter
Probably produced for a tourist market, this anonymous photograph of the Roman amphitheatre in Nîmes, France offers a fascinating view of the ancient structure from within. The photographer appears to have been perched on an upper platform inside the amphitheatre, such that the circular structure radiates concentrically outwards from the lower center margin. The translation of the different materials of the theatre into black and white photography, from the pale gray dirt floor, to the light stone seating, and finally the slightly darker architraves and city beyond, create three distinct zones of tonal shading that contribute to the abstract effect of the image.

Physical Description
Photograph of an ancient amphitheatre, viewed from above.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Cityscapes
NÓmes
Roman (ancient Italian culture or period)
Ruins
amphitheaters (built works)
architecture (object genre)
documentary photography
tourism