Façade van de binnenplaats van Palazzo Farnese after 1655

Giovanni Battista Falda created this print of the Palazzo Farnese courtyard using etching, a printmaking technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. Etching relies on the corrosive properties of acid to create lines in a metal plate, which is then inked and printed onto paper. It’s a laborious process, involving careful preparation of the plate, application of a protective ground, and precise drawing with a needle to expose the metal. The plate is then immersed in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves that hold the ink. The resulting image has a distinctive quality, with fine lines and delicate shading. The image is very precise, which makes the architecture appear majestic. Although the building is made from stone, the print itself invites us to reflect on the skilled labor required to produce the artwork and construct the building in the first place. By emphasizing process and materiality, we can appreciate the artistry and craft that went into its making, transcending traditional distinctions between fine art and design.