Landscape with the Pilgrim at Prayer, from Vedute 1735 - 1744

This print, Landscape with the Pilgrim at Prayer, was made by Canaletto using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on acid to do the work of carving. The seemingly simple black lines are actually the result of a complex process. Canaletto would have coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then used a sharp needle to scratch away the coating, exposing the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. The longer the plate stayed in the acid, the deeper the lines. This determined how much ink they would hold, and therefore how dark they would appear in the final print. The result here is a study in contrasts, and a testament to the amount of labor involved in the production of this image. The sharp lines create a stark, almost graphic quality, while the soft, blurred areas suggest a sense of atmosphere and depth. The print invites us to consider the relationship between the built environment and the natural world, and to appreciate the skill and artistry of the printmaker.