Forum Romanum 1910

Karl Jensen created this image of Forum Romanum using etching. Look closely, and you'll notice the approach to mark-making; it's very controlled, almost architectural in its precision. Etching has this amazing capacity to capture detail. The shadows are built up with these tiny, deliberate lines, giving the whole scene a sense of depth and texture. Your eye can travel across the ruins, picking out every little stone and shadow. It’s incredible how the density of the lines creates such a feeling of light and space. The artist has captured a place burdened with history and the sense of time passing. I think this piece connects with Piranesi, who also did a lot of etchings of Rome. Art's all about conversations across time, different artists riffing on the same themes, seeing things in their own way. What do you see?