Arch of Pola [Pula] in Istria near to the sea 1748

Giovanni Battista Piranesi's 1748 etching "Arch of Pola [Pula] in Istria near to the sea" depicts the Roman triumphal arch in Pula, Croatia. The intricate detail and dramatic use of light and shadow characteristic of Piranesi's work are evident in this print, which features a sweeping view of the arch and its surrounding landscape. Part of a larger series of etchings focusing on ancient Roman architecture, "Arch of Pola [Pula] in Istria near to the sea" is a testament to Piranesi's fascination with the ruins of the Roman Empire and his masterful ability to capture their grandeur and solemnity on paper.