The Septizodium 1556

This print of the Septizodium, an ancient Roman structure, was likely made using an etching technique. Acid would have been used to bite into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink, before being transferred to paper. The linear quality of the print emphasizes the architectural structure, focusing on the contrast between light and shadow, volume and void. The starkness of the print, however, belies the extraordinary labor that would have been required for the original Septizodium’s construction. Built of brick and stone, the monument would have been erected through the physical labor of quarrymen, masons, and builders. This print, therefore, is an abstraction of a vast amount of physical work. The final image provides a glimpse into the relationship between handcraft, industrial processes and historical narratives. It reminds us that every object and artwork is the culmination of human effort, rooted in specific social and historical conditions.