Lately, I have been noticing that certain images, places, etc...really, really strike a nerve with me. I guess things, people and places have always done that but now I want to know why.
Was it a past lives association? Something in the colour, texture, other that catches a deep distant memory temporarily locked away in my cerebral cortex?
Here is a drawing of the Coliseum in Rome (built 72-80 A.D.) that grabs me...I like attempts at what it may have looked like more then what it now looks like and I'm not sure why, though there are some beauts of pics on flickr with some gorgeous Roman azul sky.
I like the fact that it may have been used for mock naval battles as well. And had pretty awnings to shade the more affluent side/curve/end of the building.
Medieval depiction of Rome (artist unknown)
The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1883)
Pollice Verso ("Thumbs Down") by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1872
Thomas Cole, 1832
I like that there were 2 grand doors at either end and the gladiators would exit either the Gate of Life (back to gladiator school) or the Gate of Death, which in most cases, would be their freedom finally.
I will leave you with your thoughts and this great pano site:
