Fotoreproductie van het schilderij La Madone d'Albe door Rafaël before 1866

This is a photogravure reproduction of Raphael’s Alba Madonna, made by Ch. Müller & Co. at an unknown date. The photogravure process chemically etches an image onto a metal plate, which is then inked and printed. It’s a technique that bridges photography and printmaking, offering a way to create multiple copies while retaining a sense of the hand-made. In the context of reproductive media, the photogravure can be seen as a product of its time, indicative of a culture eager to disseminate and consume images. It democratizes access to artworks previously confined to elite circles, aligning with broader social shifts towards mass production and consumption. Consider, too, the labor involved: from the photographer capturing the initial image, to the skilled artisans etching the plates, each step contributes to the final product we see before us. Ultimately, this photogravure invites us to consider the complex interplay between art, industry, and society, challenging the notion of art as solely the domain of singular genius.