Cardiff Castle from the West 1776

Paul Sandby created this print of Cardiff Castle from the West using etching and aquatint, a tonal variation of etching that simulates the effect of watercolor. This printmaking technique involves biting an image into a metal plate with acid, then using powdered resin to create subtle gradations of tone. Look closely, and you can see how the textures that define the clouds and foliage result from this process, which mirrors the effects of watercolor wash. Sandby was a military draughtsman who understood the techniques of mapping and surveying, so his prints are more than picturesque views. This image, in particular, is about the relationship between the castle as a structure of power, and the rural population that surrounds it. Notice how Sandby renders the figures as small, almost anonymous laboring bodies. By focusing on the materiality and methods of production in Sandby's printmaking, we gain a deeper appreciation of its social context, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.