San Ponziano in an Amphitheatre Being Exposed to Lions 1732 - 1798

Christoph Unterberger's "San Ponziano in an Amphitheatre Being Exposed to Lions" is a dynamic pen and ink drawing that depicts the martyr Saint Ponziano, a 3rd-century Christian, surrounded by three lions in an amphitheater. The figure of San Ponziano, with arms outstretched, is the central focus of the drawing, placed in the lower half of the composition. He stands amongst the lions as if unaffected by the danger. Above him, the upper half of the drawing depicts the crowd of spectators in the amphitheater looking down upon the scene. This drawing is a great example of the dramatic composition and heightened emotionalism of Baroque art.