Gezicht op de ruïne van M. Curty c. 1700 - 1710

This etching, titled 'View of the Ruin of M. Curty,' was made by an anonymous artist, and now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The image shows a ruined landscape, with a fallen column dominating the scene. The process of etching involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then scratches an image into this coating, exposing the metal. When acid is applied, it bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the inked image. This method of production made prints like these widely available. Etchings like this one were often made as souvenirs for tourists. The image of ruins speaks to a fascination with the past, and perhaps also a commentary on the transience of human achievement. The artist is not so much celebrating the classical world as dwelling on its decay. This reminds us that all things, even mighty empires, will eventually crumble.