Environs de Bergame c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Environs de Bergame" by Ghiberto Borroméo, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. The monochromatic etching renders a haunting, ruined structure. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: The etching process itself is telling. Consider the labour involved in the repeated biting of the plate with acid, the deliberate creation of textures to mimic the crumbling facade. The print becomes a commodity, reproducing the image for wider consumption. Editor: So, the value lies in its production and distribution, not just the artistic merit? Curator: Precisely. How does the act of reproducing this ruin transform our relationship to it, and to the social forces that led to its decay? What value do we place on this landscape through this medium? Editor: That's a fascinating way to look at it. I never considered the socio-economic implications of printmaking itself.