Demonstration of of the house itself 

This is a print made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the late 18th century, likely etched in copper, depicting the plan and elevation of a house in Pompeii. Piranesi was fascinated by Roman antiquity, and here he turns his attention to domestic space. The crisp lines and stark contrasts are results of the etching process: acid biting into the metal plate, leaving behind grooves that hold ink. The composition itself is a kind of material study. Piranesi meticulously details the construction of the house, from the arrangement of the stones in the walls to the layout of the rooms. Look at the rubble-like textures, carefully rendered to give a sense of the building's materiality. It is easy to imagine Piranesi walking through the ruins, taking notes, and making sketches. The print shows a deep engagement with the physicality of the house, as if the printmaker was also a builder, carefully examining the materials and the ways in which they were assembled. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, revealing the knowledge and skill required to truly understand the built environment.