Ruïnes op de hellingen van de Palatijn, met een boog van de Aqua Claudia 1680

This print of ruins on the Palatine Hill, including an arch of the Aqua Claudia, was made by an anonymous artist using etching, a printmaking technique. Etching involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, drawing through the coating to expose the metal, and then submerging the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. The plate is then inked, wiped clean, and pressed onto paper, transferring the image. This allowed for the relatively quick production of images which could be disseminated widely. The stark contrast between the ink and paper draws attention to the textures of the stone and the crumbling architecture, emphasizing the passage of time and the impermanence of human creations. The artist conveys a sense of monumentality and decay, inviting viewers to reflect on the transience of power and civilization. By focusing on material reality and the traces of human intervention, we can better understand the relationship between art, history, and society, moving beyond conventional categories of art and craft.