Fotoreproductie van een prent naar een fresco door Rafaël van Mozes met de Tafelen der Wet before 1868

This photogravure was made by Edward Dunmore in the 19th century after a fresco by Raphael depicting Moses with the Tablets of the Law. The image captures a pivotal moment of religious and legal foundation, inviting us to consider the cultural authority embedded within such depictions. Made in the era of burgeoning print culture, this reproduction reflects the growing desire to disseminate and democratize access to classical and religious artworks. But, it’s also worth asking: who controlled this distribution? Were these images used to reinforce existing social norms? Or did they provoke new interpretations of ancient texts? To fully understand this image, we need to delve into the history of printmaking and the institutions that supported it. Researching the social and political context in which Dunmore was working will help us uncover the complex layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly straightforward reproduction.