Roman Augurs Interpreting the Flight of Birds 

This print, Roman Augurs Interpreting the Flight of Birds, was made by Salvator Rosa sometime in the 17th century. Rosa was a prolific printmaker, known for his etchings. Think about the labor involved in producing this image. The artist would have started with a copper plate, carefully coating it with a waxy ground. Using a sharp needle, he then scratched away the ground to expose the metal. Immersing the plate in acid would bite into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold the ink. The plate then needs to be inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper to transfer the image. Each stage required precision, and the final print is the result of a complex interplay between manual skill and chemical process. Rosa's print invites us to consider the significance of materials and making in understanding the visual world, emphasizing the skilled labor involved in both art and craft.