The Arch of Septimus Severus 1820

Luigi Rossini created this print of the Arch of Septimus Severus using etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid to hold ink. Rossini's skill is evident in the detailed textures of the stone and the arch's intricate carvings. To achieve this, he would have applied a waxy ground to the metal plate, drawn through it with a needle, and then immersed the plate in acid. The acid bites into the metal where the ground has been removed, creating recessed lines that hold ink. This process could be repeated to achieve different levels of depth and tone. But consider how this process relates to labor and the social context of the time. While Rossini's artistry is on display, the print also reflects a fascination with Roman antiquity, a period glorified for its engineering and architectural prowess. The arch, a symbol of imperial power, becomes a subject of study and admiration, inviting us to reflect on labor, power, and the passage of time.