Amphitheater with two groups of soldiers running toward each other; set design from 'Il Pomo D'Oro' 1668

This etching by Mathäus Küsel, created in 1668, is a set design for the opera "Il Pomo d'Oro". The artwork depicts an amphitheater with two groups of soldiers running toward each other, showcasing the grandeur and spectacle of Baroque theater. The detailed rendering of the architecture, with its arches, columns, and balconies, creates a sense of depth and grandeur. The dynamic composition, captured in the movement of the figures, adds to the sense of excitement and drama. This design, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the opulence and theatricality of 17th-century opera.