Gezicht op Pireus 1758

This print, "Gezicht op Pireus," was made by Jacques Philippe Le Bas in the 18th century, using a technique called etching. The lines you see are actually grooves incised into a metal plate, which would then be inked and printed onto paper. Le Bas was a master of this reproductive medium, and his skill is evident in the incredibly fine detail of the image, from the turbulent waves to the billowing clouds. Etching allowed for relatively easy production of prints, which could then be widely distributed. This was critical to the development of a visual culture available not only to the wealthy elite, but also to a growing middle class. As such, it is deeply tied to the changing social structures of the time, the rise of capitalism and new modes of consumption. Consider, too, the labor involved: from the initial creation of the image, to the printing and distribution of the final product, printmaking was a complex and collaborative process. This piece challenges the idea of the artist as a solitary genius.