The Church of SS Vincenzo e Anastasio alle Tre Fontane 1641

Editor: This is Giacomo Lauro's engraving of The Church of SS Vincenzo e Anastasio alle Tre Fontane. The detail achieved with just lines is impressive. What can we learn about its creation? Curator: Consider the copperplate process. Each line is etched, demanding precision and labor. This wasn't mere artistic expression; it was a commercial endeavor, reproducing architecture for a growing market of consumers and pilgrims. How does that shift your understanding? Editor: It reframes it as a product, designed to be disseminated and consumed. Are the materials also connected to the Roman economy? Curator: Precisely! The paper, the ink, even the tools used, all point to a complex network of manufacture, trade, and consumption within the Roman economy. Think about the labor involved in each stage. Editor: I hadn't considered the social and economic implications of even a simple engraving like this. Curator: Seeing art through the lens of its production reveals hidden histories and social relationships.