La Compagnia dei sacconi al Colosseo (Penitents Praying at Altars in the Colosseum) 1829

Bartolomeo Pinelli's 1829 watercolor, "La Compagnia dei sacconi al Colosseo," captures the solemn atmosphere of a religious procession taking place in the Colosseum in Rome. The artwork portrays penitents dressed in hooded robes, known as "sacconi," praying at altars erected within the ancient amphitheater. This poignant scene, rendered in soft browns and grays, offers a glimpse into the everyday life of early 19th-century Rome and the enduring significance of religious devotion in the face of historical change. The image is a powerful depiction of the Roman Catholic faith in the context of the city’s rich history.