Title page: Collection of several drawings engraved after Barbieri da Cento (known as Guercino) engraved on copper and presented to Thomas Jenkins, painter and member of the Academy of St. Luke, out of respect and friendship from his fellow member, the architect Gio. Battista Piranesi 1764

This title page, created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, is an engraving on copper dedicated to Thomas Jenkins, a painter and member of the Academy of St. Luke. It reflects the interconnected artistic circles in 18th-century Rome. Piranesi, celebrated for his etchings of Roman architecture, here presents a collection of drawings by Guercino, known as Il Guercino, to honor Jenkins's artistic merit and their friendship. This act of artistic tribute speaks to the social currency of art and the patronage networks of the time. It is interesting to consider what the role of friendship and mutual respect between artists meant in a society deeply shaped by class and status. The emotional gesture of Piranesi is further emphasized by the image of the despondent looking man in the image above the text. The print serves as a window into the intimate relationships and professional alliances that shaped the art world, revealing the personal and emotional dimensions embedded in artistic creation and exchange.