Panorama van Rome c. 1900

Alfredo Blasi created this ‘Panorama van Rome’ using a printing technique. The printmaking process involves careful labor, and skilled hands to transfer an image onto paper. Looking closely, the material qualities of the print reveal much. The texture of the paper, the precise lines etched to form buildings and topography, all speak to a specific era of production. The sepia tones, achieved through inks, give the image a sense of history. Prints like this were part of a wider culture of visual reproduction. They democratized image-making, allowing for mass consumption. This had social implications; beautiful views like this one became accessible to a broader audience, not just the wealthy who could afford original paintings. The act of creating the print required a different kind of labour, too. While Blasi was the artist, he was reliant on printmakers and their equipment. Appreciating these subtle clues can reshape our understanding of art history, and question what we consider 'high' art versus 'craft.'