Heilige Trap te Rome 1669 - 1670

This engraving of the Holy Stairs in Rome was made by Giovanni Battista Falda in the late 17th century. The print is made by incising lines into a copper plate, which then holds ink and transfers the design to paper. The crisp lines and precise architectural details result from a skilled hand and specialized tools. Consider the labor involved: from mining and refining the copper, to the focused work of the printmaker. Falda documented existing structures, but he also transformed them. He was working in a booming market for such images. Prints like this were effectively an early form of mass media. This artwork exists because of a complex intersection of craft, commerce, and religious devotion. Looking closely at the lines and textures allows us to appreciate the artist's skill, and also reflect on the social forces that enabled its production. By understanding the materials, making, and context, we recognize the convergence of art, craft, and social history in this compelling image.