Gezicht op de omgeving van Napels met molen 1757 - 1857

Jean-Baptiste Racine created this print of the area around Naples sometime in the late 18th century, using etching and engraving techniques. The network of fine lines, created through labor-intensive processes, offers a glimpse into the world of 18th-century printmaking. Acid-etched lines create depth, while engraved details add precision. Note the textures of the architecture, foliage, water, and sky. The windmill, prominently placed, reflects the period's reliance on wind power for milling and industry. The human figures underscore the everyday lives and labor intertwined with the landscape. Racine's print invites us to consider the social and technological contexts of its creation. By emphasizing material, making, and context, we see beyond the image, understanding how reproductive technologies were crucial to circulating images of labor and leisure.