Berglandschap met vijf bruggen 1707 - 1768

Canaletto made this etching, Berglandschap met vijf bruggen, using metal, acid, and ink. The image is essentially comprised of lines incised into a metal plate, which would have been a labor-intensive task, demanding absolute precision and control. The landscape scene is rendered with incredible detail, creating depth and texture using only line. Looking closely, you can see the ways that the density and direction of lines are carefully constructed. The etching process itself speaks to the development of printmaking as a form of reproduction, tied to emerging markets and consumption. Canaletto was a commercial artist as much as a fine artist, and this print would have been made for sale, to meet the demands of a growing market for picturesque views of the Italian landscape. Ultimately, this etching reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are the product of skilled labor and complex economic forces.