The Ancient City 1641

Editor: This etching, "The Ancient City" by Giacomo Lauro, presents a bird's-eye view of Rome. The detailed craftsmanship suggests it was intended for a specific purpose. How should we interpret this work beyond just its visual representation? Curator: Consider the socio-economic context in which this etching was produced. The materiality of the print itself—the paper, the ink, the labor required for its creation and distribution—speaks to a specific market and a particular mode of knowledge production. Who was the intended consumer, and what needs did this map fulfill? Editor: I hadn’t considered the printmaking process itself as part of the meaning. So, it's not just about the image of Rome, but about the act of making and selling knowledge about Rome? Curator: Exactly. How does the availability and cost of materials like paper and ink inform who had access to this image and the knowledge it conveyed? Thinking about these aspects is crucial to understanding its historical significance. Editor: That's a completely different way of seeing it. Thank you.