The birth of Erechtheus 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching, "The Birth of Erechtheus," using metal plates and acid to create a design of incised lines. This process, known as intaglio, is a form of printmaking that contrasts with relief processes like woodcut, and was the dominant technique of mass media in Piranesi's time. The etching beautifully captures a classical myth through line work. But it also prompts us to consider its status as a commodity made possible by emerging industrial practices. Piranesi skillfully employs hatching and cross-hatching to depict the scene, giving it a sense of depth. The print could be endlessly reproduced, making it accessible to a wider audience. So, while it celebrates a moment of mythological genesis, it also embodies a new era of industrial production, one where craft and commerce intertwine, challenging traditional notions of artistic value.