View of a Portion of Ancient Rome 1810

Editor: This is Joseph Anton Koch's "View of a Portion of Ancient Rome." The etching's delicate lines really emphasize the ruins and landscape. What strikes you most about the material elements in this depiction? Curator: Notice how the etching process itself, the labor involved in its production, highlights the tension between the idealized past and the very real, material decay of Rome. How does Koch's choice of this medium contribute to the social understanding of Rome's decline? Editor: So, the printmaking process itself becomes part of the narrative about Rome’s decay? Curator: Precisely. The printmaking, as a social product, gives us insights into how Rome's decay was perceived and consumed by society. Editor: That's a great point; I'll definitely keep that in mind when thinking about this piece.