Porch before a Circular Temple c. 1750

This print, "Porch before a Circular Temple", was made by Pierre Moreau sometime in the 18th century, using etching on laid paper. Etching involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer. The artist then scratches a design into this layer, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves. The deeper the lines, the more ink they hold. The whole plate is then inked and wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the design. The quality of the final print depends on the artist's skill in drawing and the etcher's ability to control the acid. This image speaks to the world of architectural drafting, but also the rapid dissemination of images in an age of enlightenment and revolution. The architecture depicted suggests imperial grandeur, but the relatively accessible medium of printmaking enabled the wide circulation of this aesthetic, beyond the halls of power.