Symbolic struggle of Cupid and Pan 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this print of Cupid and Pan with etching, a process of biting lines into a metal plate with acid. What strikes me about this image is how much hand-work is involved. Lines are built up painstakingly to model forms and describe textures – the feathery wings of Cupid, the shaggy goat-like legs of Pan, the rough bark of the tree behind them. Piranesi's technique, highly developed after years of practice, allows him to create incredible tonal variation and intricate detail, all through the manipulation of line. These skills don’t come from nowhere: they are the result of years of apprenticeship and diligent labour. There's real effort etched into this image. Considering the time and skill involved in its production, it is easy to appreciate this image for more than just its subject matter. It's a fascinating object of artisanship. So, next time you look at a print, remember to consider the process and the hand of the artist.