A refined and imposing large-format aquatint depicting the famous and iconic view from the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, taken from the celebrated album and picturesque journey through Sicily conceived by Gigault de La Salle.

Excerpt from the Historical Description:

Perched on a steep ridge between Messina and Catania, Taormina rises between the rocks of Mount Taurus and those of Castelmola. Although the modern town occupies only a portion of ancient Tauromenium, the majestic ruins of its vast ancient theatre still bear witness today to the extent and magnificence of the former city.

The view is taken from the top of the ruined porticoes that once crowned the tiers, built to hold nearly thirty thousand spectators. From this elevated vantage point, one can clearly distinguish the orchestra, the cavea, and the impressive remains of the stage. Beyond the visual impact, the ancients chose these locations with extraordinary acoustic skill: from the furthest edge of the seating area, it is possible to clearly hear a person speaking in a natural voice at the bottom of the theatre.

The eye then wanders over a landscape of incomparable beauty:

• To the right, the remains of the ancient aqueduct and the Naumachia, the Capuchin monastery, and the sheer cliffs over the sea crowned by the picturesque village of Mola.

• Below, the coastline of Giardini-Naxos, the site of the first Greek colony in Sicily founded by Theocles of Chalcis.

• In the background, the landscape closes with the slopes of the Mascali hills and the majestic mass of Mount Etna, its snow-capped peak giving off a light plume of smoke, extending to the horizon where the profile of the coast toward Syracuse is faintly visible.