Gezicht op het Koninklijk Paleis en de koninklijke tuinen te Napels c. 1700 - 1710

This print shows us the Royal Palace and gardens in Naples, made with an etching technique by an anonymous artist. The image results from the layering of lines bitten into a metal plate with acid. Because each line is physically incised, etching gives a tactile quality quite distinct from a smooth photographic image. Look closely, and you'll see the artist uses the technique to describe the materiality of the scene before them. The stone and water features of the garden have a graphic density, in contrast to the relatively blank sky. The medium becomes the message, conjuring a place of privilege in this era of empire. The artist has skillfully manipulated the etched line to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Etching was a popular method for reproducing images for a growing middle class. Understanding its production deepens our appreciation, blurring the lines between art, craft, and commerce.