Vue des Remparts de Sonnenstein (View of the Ramparts of Sonnenstein) 

Bernardo Bellotto created this print, *View of the Ramparts of Sonnenstein*, using etching and engraving, a process involving meticulous labor. The image is achieved by incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. Consider how the fine lines create a sense of depth, texture, and light. Bellotto wasn't just representing a place, but also the social dynamics of the Sonnenstein fortress, at the time a prison. The precision of the engraving lends a documentary quality. The act of printmaking itself also speaks to broader issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Each impression of the plate demands a certain amount of work. This intaglio process allowed for the wide distribution of the image, influencing public perception and the circulation of knowledge in 18th century Europe. This print reminds us that an artwork is not just an image, but a result of complex techniques, materials, and social contexts.