Gezicht op de boog van Trajanus in Timgad before 1894

This photogravure of the Arch of Trajan in Timgad, was made by an anonymous artist. Photogravure, as a printing process, is very labor intensive. First, a copper plate is coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue, which has been exposed to a photographic positive. The plate is then etched in ferric chloride solutions of varying concentrations, creating an image of different depths. The deeper the etch, the more ink it holds, resulting in darker tones in the final print. This process captures the arch’s textured surfaces in incredible detail, while also reminding us that its appearance is due to the labor of those who built it in the first place. Roman arches were monumental feats of engineering, requiring skilled stone masons, quarrymen, and countless laborers. The making of the arch was a colossal project that extracted resources and organized labor to project imperial power. So, as you look at this print, consider the chain of processes that led to its making, from the quarry to the photographer's studio. It is a record not only of a place, but also of human endeavor.