Gebouwen in Milaan afgebroken Possibly 1875

Luca Beltrami made this etching, Gebouwen in Milaan Afgebroken, using a metal plate, likely copper, in 1875. The process of etching involves covering the plate with a waxy, acid-resistant layer, and then scratching an image into that layer. When the plate is dipped in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves that hold ink. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Look closely, and you'll notice that the image captures the demolition of buildings in Milan. The rough lines of the etching, born from the biting action of acid, impart a sense of decay, perfectly suiting the subject. The figures of the workers, rendered with hasty lines, hint at the labor involved in reshaping the city. Beltrami, an architect, was deeply involved in Milan's urban transformation. Through his choice of material and process, he invites us to consider the social and economic forces at play in the making and unmaking of the built environment.