Vedute di Roma 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s “Vedute di Roma” was created using etching, a printmaking technique that demands precision. First, a metal plate is coated with wax. The artist then uses a needle to draw through the wax, exposing the metal. The plate is submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. The wax is removed, ink is applied to the plate, filling the etched lines, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, paper is pressed onto the plate, transferring the ink and creating the print. Piranesi's mastery lies in his dramatic use of light and shadow and his ability to convey the texture and scale of ancient Roman ruins. Look closely, and you’ll see how the delicate lines create a sense of depth and detail, from the rough stone to the overgrown foliage. Consider the labor involved: the careful preparation of the plate, the skilled execution of the etching, and the physical act of printing. These prints were luxury items, consumed by wealthy tourists eager to take a piece of Rome home with them. Piranesi's work reminds us that even images of decay can be commodities, transforming ruins into objects of desire.