Fotoreproductie van een foto door Alvin Langdon Coburn, voorstellend de haven van Londen before 1907

This is a photogravure of Alvin Langdon Coburn's photograph, "The Port of London," reproduced in an early 20th-century German photography journal. Coburn was a key figure in the Photo-Secession movement, advocating for photography as fine art. His London series reflects an interest in modern urban landscapes, depicting the city's docks with an eye to its industrial dynamism. Consider the social conditions that shaped artistic production at the time. Photography was gaining recognition in art institutions and exhibitions, yet still positioned itself in relation to older art forms. The photogravure process allowed for the subtle tones and details that would position photography among the fine arts. To understand this image better, one might research the history of photography as it intersects with debates about art and technology at the turn of the century. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts.