Fotoreproductie van een gravure van De terugkeer van de heilige familie uit Egypte door Lucas Vorsterman, naar het schilderij door Peter Paul Rubens before 1858

This is a photographic reproduction of an engraving by Jean Louis Bargignac, made in the 19th century, after an engraving by Lucas Vorsterman, after a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. It depicts the Holy Family returning from their exile in Egypt. Rubens, working in the 17th century Spanish Netherlands, was part of a well-established system of artistic production, where a master’s paintings would be circulated widely through prints. In this case, Vorsterman made an engraving of the painting; his engraving would then be reproduced photographically in the 19th century. This print speaks to the changing status of the artwork in the modern era. Once, the circulation of the image was closely controlled by Rubens and his workshop; now, photographic reproduction allows for a potentially limitless distribution, as well as an altered understanding of authorship and authenticity. To understand these complex histories, we can study the archives of printmakers, photographers, and publishers, paying close attention to the social and economic forces that shape artistic production.