Reproductie van La Nuit door Gustave Doré c. 1874 - 1879

This is a photograph taken by Charles Michelez of Gustave Doré's sculpture "La Nuit," but let's consider what the shift in material and process does to the artwork. The original sculpture, presumably made of plaster or bronze, would have been a unique object, painstakingly hand-crafted and finished. This photograph, however, exists in potentially infinite copies. The change from sculpture to photograph reflects the rise of industrial capitalism and its impact on the art world. Michelez’s photograph captures the texture and form of Doré's sculpture, but flattens it, changing our perception of its weight and scale. It also alters our understanding of the labor involved. Doré's hand is replaced by the mechanical eye of the camera, making the image more widely accessible. Ultimately, this photograph invites us to consider how mechanical reproduction impacts our understanding and appreciation of art. It challenges traditional notions of originality and authorship, blurring the lines between fine art and mass production.