Genova dal Giardino Durazzo al Zerbino (Genoa from the Giardino Durazzo al Zerbino) c. 1857

This print, "Genoa from the Giardino Durazzo al Zerbino" was made by Leopoldina Zanetti Borzino in the 19th century. The image is a lithograph, made by drawing on a flat stone with a greasy crayon, then using oil and water to selectively transfer ink to paper. Note the high level of detail, especially in the rendering of the water and foliage. This kind of intricate work would have required not just skill, but considerable time and labor. Lithography was relatively new at this time. It offered a way to reproduce images quickly, and it played an important role in the development of mass media. Prints like this one were often sold as souvenirs to tourists. They offered a picturesque view of Genoa, framed by lush vegetation. The artist invites us to contemplate the city from a privileged, tranquil vantage point. By focusing on the means of production and its social context, we can appreciate the print not just as a beautiful image, but as a cultural artifact.