View of the Dogana di Terra in Piazza di Pietra 

This etching of the Piazza della Rotonda was made in the 18th century by Giovanni Battista Piranesi. He was a master printmaker, known for his dramatic, detailed views of Rome. Piranesi's prints are characterized by their incredibly fine lines, achieved through a painstaking process. First, he would coat a copper plate with wax, and then carefully scratch away the wax with a sharp tool. This exposed the metal beneath, which would then be bitten by acid in a bath, incising the lines into the plate. The plate was then inked and printed, leaving a permanent image on paper. Look closely, and you'll see the architectural detail, the bustling market life, even the texture of the clouds. These images were widely sold and disseminated, offering a glimpse into Roman life. Piranesi was not just documenting Rome; he was constructing an idea of the city, one that resonated with the era’s fascination with classical antiquity. This demonstrates how printmaking could play a vital role in shaping cultural perceptions.