Chiesa di San Giacomo in Augusta te Rome 1669 - 1670

This print of the Chiesa di San Giacomo in Augusta in Rome was made by Giovanni Battista Falda in the late 17th century using an engraving technique. The stark contrast of black lines on white paper shows us a moment in time through the deliberate act of cutting lines into a metal plate. Falda’s technical skill brought precise details of architecture to life, alongside social context, such as the figures populating the church's surroundings. The method of engraving itself, involving meticulous labor, mirrors the very construction work it depicts. The church, a product of skilled labor and architectural vision, is translated into a series of carefully etched lines, each contributing to the overall image. The process invites us to reflect on the labor involved, both in the creation of the church, and the print itself. Thinking about the materials and making of this print reminds us that even a seemingly straightforward image carries with it stories of artistry, production, and cultural context, blurring traditional distinctions between art and craft.