Gezicht in het interieur van de Sint-Jan van Lateranen te Rome 1693 - 1717

Pietro Paolo Girelli's "Gezicht in het interieur van de Sint-Jan van Lateranen te Rome" is an intricate print, using ink on paper to depict an interior view, combining technical skill with artistic vision. The linear precision in the print emphasizes the building’s architectural grandeur. The artist likely employed etching and engraving techniques, manipulating the metal plate to create fine lines and tonal variations. Each line is the result of deliberate action, cutting into the metal to hold ink, which then transfers onto the paper through immense pressure. The coloring, applied later, brings a sense of vibrancy to the scene. The making of such a print involved significant labor, from the initial drawing and carving to the final printing and coloring. This print reflects the economic and social context of its time, where skilled craftsmanship was highly valued. It invites us to appreciate the fusion of technical skill and artistic expression, challenging the divide between craft and fine art.