View of the Villa Pamphilj outside the Porta S. Pancrazio 1741 - 1748

This etching of the Villa Pamphilj was made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, an Italian artist celebrated for his detailed depictions of Roman architecture and landscapes. Piranesi’s tool of choice, the etching needle, allowed him to achieve remarkable precision and detail in his works. This process involves covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, then scratching away lines with the needle to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Piranesi's prints weren't just art, they were also commodities. Sold to tourists and collectors, they fueled a growing fascination with Rome and its classical past. The labor-intensive process of etching, with its meticulous detail, speaks to the value placed on craftsmanship in the 18th century. By focusing on the materiality and making of Piranesi's prints, we can appreciate the intersection of artistic skill, commerce, and cultural exchange in his work.