View of the facade of the Basilica of St. Cross in Jerusalem 

This view of the Basilica of St. Cross in Jerusalem was made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, using etching and engraving. Piranesi was a master of printmaking, a process that involves covering a metal plate with a waxy ground, then scratching an image into it with a needle. The plate is then bathed in acid, which bites into the exposed metal, creating lines. Ink is applied, the surface wiped clean, and the image transferred to paper under high pressure. The Basilica's imposing facade is rendered with incredible detail, showcasing the precise lines and tonal range achievable through etching. Note the contrast between the dark, shadowed areas and the bright highlights, creating a sense of depth and drama. Look closely, and you’ll notice the texture of the stone, the delicate foliage, and the subtle gradations in the sky. Piranesi’s technical virtuosity, coupled with his artistic vision, elevates printmaking from a mere reproductive technique to a powerful art form in its own right. In his hands, labor becomes art.