Grote watervallen bij Tivoli 1825

Luigi Rossini made this print of the great waterfalls at Tivoli using etching and engraving, likely sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The scene is rendered in careful detail through these intaglio processes, which involve incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Look closely, and you'll notice the print’s texture – a testament to the labor-intensive methods of its creation. The falls themselves are depicted as a vertical curtain, while the town above and the landscape below are teeming with architectural and organic detail. The amount of time Rossini invested in the creation of this work really shows. Etchings and engravings like this were products of their time; the printmaking industry allowed for a wider distribution of images, catering to a growing appetite for picturesque views among the middle classes. The rise of tourism fueled this demand, turning natural wonders into commodities. So, next time you encounter a print like this, remember that it's not just a pretty picture, but a record of skill, labor, and the changing relationship between art, industry, and leisure.