Vedute di Roma 

This print, Vedute di Roma, was made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi using etching, a printmaking technique. Piranesi coated a metal plate with wax, then drew through it to expose the metal before submerging the plate in acid. This biting process creates recessed lines that hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under great pressure. Look closely, and you’ll see how this process has imbued the image with a deep sense of texture. The etched lines vary in width and depth, creating a rich interplay of light and shadow that emphasizes the ruinous state of the architecture, and the labor of people around it. Piranesi was fascinated by classical architecture and its relationship to modern life. Through his skilled manipulation of the etching process, Piranesi elevates printmaking – typically seen as a ‘lesser’ art – into a powerful medium for social commentary. It reminds us that technical skill and material understanding are essential to understanding an artist's vision and their critique of the world around them.