Tavern in the same perspective of Sterquilinium 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching, "Tavern in the same perspective of Sterquilinium," using metal plates, acid, and ink. Its sharp lines and precise execution speak to the skilled labor involved. The design emphasizes the importance of materials and making in the 18th-century. Piranesi wasn’t just representing a building; he was also revealing a method. Etching is a printmaking technique that requires careful planning, meticulous execution, and a deep understanding of the materials involved. The lines, rendered through the biting action of acid, give the image its character. Piranesi's choice of etching as a medium is important. It allowed for the mass production of images, fueling the appetite for knowledge about the ancient world, and the rise of consumer culture. In understanding the artwork, consider not just the image, but the labor and processes that brought it into being.