Pyramid of Caius Cestius 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi made this etching of the Pyramid of Caius Cestius using metal plates and acid. It wasn’t an exact record of the ancient monument, but instead a dramatic reimagining. Notice the stark contrast between the smooth face of the pyramid and the dense foliage surrounding it. Piranesi manipulated the metal plate to create these textures. He used tools like burnishers and scrapers to achieve the subtle gradations of light and shadow, building up a rich, atmospheric scene. Etchings like this were luxury items, and part of a booming market for views of Rome. They catered to wealthy tourists eager to take home a piece of the city. This image also reflects the prevailing fashion of the time, for the ‘picturesque,’ a taste for sublime nature and decaying grandeur. Piranesi blurred the lines between art, craft, and commerce. His skill in etching, a process that combines technical precision with artistic vision, elevated printmaking to a high art. The Pyramid of Caius Cestius is not just a depiction of a historical site, but also a testament to the power of materials and making to shape our understanding of history and culture.