Boog van Janus en San Giorgio in Velabro te Rome 1720 - 1782

Giuseppe Vasi created this print of the Arch of Janus and San Giorgio in Velabro in Rome using etching. The print's strength lies in its linear precision, constructing a legible and detailed representation of architectural forms. Note how Vasi employs a structured composition to present the ancient and religious structures with clarity. The linear hatching creates tonal variations, distinguishing between light and shadow, mass and void, enhancing the geometric clarity of the arch and church. This reflects the Enlightenment's inclination to classify and organize knowledge through visual means. The etching technique allows Vasi to articulate a visual order reflecting a broader cultural desire to understand and preserve historical and architectural knowledge. It underscores the importance of observation and documentation, mirroring the scientific ethos of the period. The artwork invites scrutiny, a kind of structural reading aligning with an intellectual framework that seeks order and rationality in visual experience.