Plattegrond van Rome in de Romeinse tijd (negende deel) 1773

This is an engraved map of ancient Rome, its maker unknown. It is printed in ink on paper. The real subject of this print isn’t so much Rome itself, but the process by which it was made visible. Look closely, and you will notice how the engraver has translated three-dimensional forms into a two-dimensional design. Each building, road, and feature of the landscape is carefully rendered. The density of detail in this print speaks to the engraver’s labour, cutting away slivers of metal to produce an image that could be reproduced many times over. Consider the social context of the print, too. It was created in a time before photography, when the circulation of images was a slow and painstaking process. The print enabled a wider audience to visualize the ancient city, bringing the glory of Rome to life for those who may never have had the chance to see it firsthand. This image reminds us that all art – even that which seems purely representational – is the result of careful construction and the application of specialized skills.