The Arch of Gratian 1641

Editor: This is "The Arch of Gratian" by Giacomo Lauro, a detailed print from the Harvard Art Museums. I am intrigued by the labor involved in creating such a precise image. What stands out to you about this artwork? Curator: I notice the sharp lines, which reveal the intaglio printmaking process. Consider the consumption of such images: Did they inform architectural choices, or were they documentation of existing structures? How might this print have influenced the creation or perception of real-world arches? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It makes me wonder about the practical purpose of such a detailed print. Curator: Exactly! Exploring the material and its means of production opens up questions about its use and its place in society.