Landschap bij Rome 1725 - 1825

Paolo Anesi created "Landschap bij Rome" using etching, likely sometime in the mid-18th century. Etching involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, protective ground. The artist then scratches an image into this ground, exposing the metal. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, 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 ink and creating the print. The linear quality of the image is a direct result of this process. The cross-hatching and fine lines create a sense of depth and shadow. The way the acid bites into the metal also affects the final image, giving it a unique texture and tone. The success of the print depends on the etcher's skill and judgment, as it would have taken immense precision and labor to create the landscape we see before us. Looking at art through the lens of its making helps us appreciate the skill and labor involved, as well as the social and cultural context in which it was produced.