Cupid winner of Neptune 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching, "Cupid winner of Neptune," in the 18th century. This print demonstrates Piranesi's mastery of the etching process, using metal plates and acid to create incredibly fine lines and tonal variations. Look closely and you can see the artist’s meticulous attention to detail and skillful manipulation of light and shadow, which give depth to the seemingly simple image of Cupid driving his sea creature prize. Piranesi was also an architect, and he uses the engraver’s tools here as precisely as any builder. The labor-intensive process of etching—preparing the plate, drawing with needles, and repeated acid baths to achieve desired darkness—speaks to the pre-industrial era. Each print pulled from the plate would have been valued for its handcrafted qualities. This contrasts sharply with today’s digital mass production, inviting us to reflect on the changing relationship between art, labor, and value.