Gezicht op de Tempio della Tosse 1798

François Morel made this etching, titled "View of the Tempio della Tosse," sometime between 1768 and 1830. The printmaking process relies on acid to bite into a metal plate, leaving behind lines that hold ink. Consider the labor involved. First, the artist meticulously drew the scene onto the plate. Then, using acid, they created the recessed lines. Finally, ink was applied, and the plate was pressed onto paper. The final print bears the marks of each of these processes. Etchings like this were popular in Morel's time, as they allowed for relatively easy reproduction and distribution of images. Think about the role of printmaking in spreading visual information during this period and how it democratized access to art. The making of an etching—from the artist's hand to the mechanical process of printing—speaks volumes about the culture of image-making and consumption in Morel's era. It's a fascinating intersection of art, craft, and the burgeoning world of mass production.