Tivoli, plate four from Views and Buildings of Italy n.d.

This print, from a series of Italian views, was made by Lameau using etching, a printmaking technique with a long and fascinating history. The process begins with a metal plate, traditionally copper, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance. The artist then draws through this coating, exposing the metal beneath. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are "bitten," creating grooves. The plate is then inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, it’s pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The beauty of etching lies in its ability to capture fine detail and subtle tonal variations. Look closely, and you can see the delicate cross-hatching and the way the light plays across the building’s rough stone surfaces. This print offered people a glimpse of faraway places, feeding a growing appetite for travel and knowledge. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple images are the result of skilled handwork, and a complex interplay of materials and processes.