Ruins of the Colosseum.

Drawing, pen and brown ink, with grey wash, 18,5 x 30 cm, laid paper, unsigned, dated in red ink by a younger hand "maart 15, 1628" (laid down by corners on passe-partout, some tiny brown spots).

In gilt wooden frame, under passe-partout.

Mathijs Bril (1550-1583) travelled to Rome in 1580 and died there a sudden death in 1583. During this sojourn the young artist made several drawings of the monuments and ruins which are now in the major collections. The present drawing can be seen as by a follower of Bril working in Rome.