Interieur van de Basiliek van San Marco te Venetië before 1886

This interior view of the Basilica di San Marco, Venice, was made by an anonymous artist through the photogravure process. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking technique, using a copper plate, light-sensitive gelatin tissue, and a photographic positive to create a rich tonal image. The process begins with exposing a sensitized plate to ultraviolet light through a film positive, hardening the gelatin in proportion to the image's darkness. After etching the plate in ferric chloride, the varying depths of the etch determine the amount of ink held, resulting in subtle tonal variations when printed. The materiality of photogravure – its capacity to capture light and shadow in minute detail – lends this image its haunting quality. The skilled labor involved in its creation, from preparing the plate to the final print, highlights the convergence of craft, technology, and artistry. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, underscoring the significance of materiality and process in understanding the work's cultural significance.