Borstbeeld van Balthazar Moretus II before 1886

Joseph Maes created this image of the “Borstbeeld van Balthazar Moretus II,” using photographic processes. While we have a final print, it’s interesting to think about the many labor intensive steps required to get there. From the original carving of the stone bust, to the work involved in setting up the shot - arranging the camera, calculating exposure times, and the expertise needed to develop the image in the darkroom. Then, it had to be printed, trimmed and mounted in this book. Consider the social context, as well. Photography in the late 19th century was not yet fully democratized; it was a highly skilled practice. While the image captures a monument, this photographic reproduction makes it mobile, reproducible, and easily disseminated. In this way, the photograph collapses traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. It invites us to consider the amount of work involved in the production process, and how materials and making contribute to the artwork's full meaning.