Fotoreproductie van (vermoedelijk) een tekening getiteld 'De droom' 1878

This photomechanical reproduction of a drawing, titled 'The Dream', was published in Munich around 1878. While we don't know who originally drew the image, the reproduction process itself is telling. Photomechanical reproduction allowed for the widespread dissemination of images. This process democratized art, making it accessible to a broader audience beyond the wealthy elite. It speaks to the rise of a print culture and mass media, and the way in which these technologies mediated people's understanding of art. Look closely and you'll see the contrast between the fine lines of the original drawing and the mechanical nature of the reproduction. The slightly blurred quality speaks to the loss of detail inherent in the process, yet its availability also reflects a changing society where art became a commodity, circulated and consumed as never before. By focusing on these processes, we can appreciate how shifts in materials and making reflect broader cultural and economic changes, blurring traditional boundaries between art and commerce.