Fireplace: in the frieze horse skull between two cameos; rich interior wing 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this fireplace design as an etching, a printmaking process dependent on acids and intense labor. Piranesi’s printmaking illustrates an elaborate interior with a multitude of decorative elements. Note how the image is composed of etched lines, meticulously incised into a metal plate, in order to capture the textures of stone, plaster, and other materials associated with high-end architecture. The textures that Piranesi etches add depth and realism, allowing the viewer to get a sense of the weight, form, and other material qualities of the artwork. This etching, far from being a mere representation, embodies the cultural values of the era, particularly the obsession with classical antiquity and the display of wealth. Piranesi aimed to elevate the status of printmaking, and challenge the established hierarchy of artistic genres. Through craft and skill, he imbued this print with a sense of grandeur that rivaled more traditional art forms.