Interior view of the so-called Tempio della Tosse [Temple of the Cough], from Views of Rome 1764

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching of the so-called Temple of the Cough, one of his "Views of Rome". Piranesi was a master of the etching process, using a metal plate, acid, and a sharp tool called a burin to create incredibly detailed and atmospheric prints. The Temple of the Cough is rendered with a sharp contrast between light and shadow, which is achieved by the etching technique itself. Look closely, and you will see a network of fine lines to build up the darker areas, giving the print a rich texture. Piranesi emphasizes the ruinous state of the temple, overgrown with vegetation and with crumbling walls. This aesthetic of decay was very fashionable in the 18th century. The print also captures the sheer labor involved in constructing such massive structures. The workers in the scene almost appear to be consumed by the scale of the architecture around them, and invite us to consider the immense amount of work and human effort invested in their creation. Piranesi's printmaking makes us think about materials, making, and context, and asks us to reconsider conventional distinctions between fine art and craft.