Vedute di Roma 

This etching was made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, who was active in Rome in the mid-1700s. He trained as an architect, and developed incredible skill in rendering the built environment on copper plates, using etching and engraving techniques. Look closely and you’ll see how Piranesi has used line to describe not only the grand facades, but also the texture of the stone, even the quality of light in the Roman sky. The lines vary from thin to thick, close together to widely spaced, creating an amazing range of tonal effects. Think of the sheer labor involved in creating these prints, each one requiring the artist to rework the plate. Piranesi wasn’t just interested in architecture, but also the economics of image-making. He established his own printmaking business, which allowed him to produce and distribute his views of Rome widely. In doing so, he catered to the burgeoning tourist trade, and established an image of Rome that has lasted centuries. So in the end, this isn’t just a picture of a place, but also an artifact of its time.