Portret van vermoedelijk Joseph Désiré Tholozan before 1885

This is likely a photogravure, a printmaking technique used to reproduce photographs in books. It shows the portrait of Joseph Désiré Tholozan on paper. The process involves etching a copper plate and then using it to make a print, allowing for a wide range of tones and fine details. The photogravure process was favored for its ability to capture the nuances of light and shadow in a photograph, giving the printed image a rich, velvety quality. The ink sits on top of the paper, creating a subtle relief effect. This particular print is part of a book, suggesting its purpose was to disseminate images widely, making them accessible to a broad audience. It’s important to remember that the creation of such images involved a division of labor - from the photographer capturing the initial image, to the skilled printmaker who transformed it into a physical object. The image is also tied to the book trade, a vast industrial and commercial network of printers, publishers, and distributors. Appreciating this print then, involves understanding the interplay of handcraft and industrial production.