View of one of Circus with other monuments in ancient 

This etching, ‘View of one of Circus with other monuments in ancient’, was created by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the 18th century. Piranesi used metal plates and acid to create a series of lines that, when printed, depict the structural components of ancient Roman architecture. Notice how Piranesi meticulously renders the texture and weight of the stone blocks. The processes involved would have required physical labor. Each line is carefully etched, mirroring the precise cutting and placement of stones in the actual buildings. This attention to detail reveals the labor involved in the production of these monumental structures. Piranesi was not only an artist, but an antiquarian and architect. These prints were a way for him to share his knowledge, and also make a living; they were sold to tourists as souvenirs of the Grand Tour. His prints blur the lines between art, documentation, and commerce. By focusing on materials, making, and the wider historical context, we begin to appreciate the ingenuity and craftsmanship embedded in this image.