Gossaert's interest in antique architecture is apparent in many of his works, but this drawing is his only known study after an actual building. Rome's famous amphitheater is seen in what appears to be one of the earliest reliable depictions of the site. The attention he paid to details of the architecture made Gossaert lose sight of the overall proportions of the imposing structure but resulted nonetheless in an attractive, somewhat eccentric vision of the Colosseum. He included the vegetation growing from the building as well as the surrounding landfill, which was cleared in the 19th century. The 16th century inscription, in Dutch - "Drawn by Jennin Mabuse's own hand in Rome at the Colosseum" - is not autograph but documents that the drawing was recognized early on as an important testimony of Gossaert's trip to Rome. (http://www.metmuseum.org)