An Artist Seated in the Ruins of the Colosseum c. 1759

Hubert Robert made this sanguine drawing of an artist within the ruins of the Colosseum using red chalk on paper. The Colosseum's rough stone texture is conveyed through the chalk's inherent qualities. Notice how Robert uses the side of the chalk for broad strokes, creating depth and shadow in the architectural elements. He uses the tip for finer lines, adding detail to the foliage and figures. The red chalk, also known as "sanguine," provides a warm tone that evokes the Colosseum's sun-baked stones. The artist depicts a figure sketching amidst the ruins. This act is important, as it shows how the Colosseum has become a source of inspiration. By drawing with red chalk, Robert links himself to a tradition of Renaissance and Baroque artists who valued drawing as a primary mode of investigation. His drawing celebrates artistic labor and acknowledges the cultural value of ruins.