Throne room with a man in classical armor standing at center addressing a man seated on a throne at left; soldiers lined on either side of the room; set design from 'Il Fuoco Eterno' 1674

This stage set design from ‘Il Fuoco Eterno’ was etched by Mathäus Küsel in the 17th century. Made with simple tools to cut lines into a copper plate, the print offers a glimpse into the intersection of artistic labor and elite spectacle. Look closely, and you see how the labor-intensive etching process has influenced the work's appearance. The fineness of line creates a visual richness, a dense tapestry of marks that describe everything from the armor of the soldiers to the elaborate ornamentation of the throne room. The sheer amount of work involved in creating such detail speaks to the value placed on lavish display within Baroque culture. The print itself would have been relatively affordable, produced in multiples, creating access to the elite world it depicts. So while the subject matter embodies the values of hierarchy and power, the print medium democratizes it, allowing a wider audience to partake. By understanding the materials, processes, and social context of this artwork, we can move beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.