Gezicht op de Colonne Médicis te Parijs c. 1828 - 1840

This print of the Colonne Médicis in Paris, made by an anonymous artist, employs engraving techniques to create an image from lines and marks. The process begins with a metal plate, likely copper, into which the design is cut using a tool called a burin. The image is all about reproduction, as this column was a monument built to celebrate Catherine de Medici. The print allows its imagery to be widely distributed and consumed. The meticulous, labour-intensive work that is required to create the dense textures and details of the architecture, convey a sense of monumental scale. It is a perfect echo of the immense labor required to create the actual column. Ultimately, by understanding the processes behind this print, we can appreciate how the very act of making influences the image's content, and how materials and techniques contribute to its cultural value.