View of main facade of the Antonine column, in six tables 

This is Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s etching of the Antonine column. It's made using a technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed, creating a highly detailed image. Piranesi was fascinated by the grandeur of Roman architecture, and particularly by its capacity to convey narratives of power. Look at the detail in the figures spiraling up the column. The original marble column, erected in ancient Rome, was essentially a monumental feat of stone carving. In this print, however, Piranesi translates that massive labor into another, more portable form. Each line etched into the copperplate represents hours of skilled work. Think about the number of impressions that could then be pulled from that plate, disseminating the image far and wide. Piranesi’s etching isn't just a record, it's an active participant in the ongoing construction of Rome's image. It's an example of how the value and authority of craft traditions can transform our understanding of history.