Fotoreproducties van prenten naar fresco's met voorstellingen van god door Rafaël voor de loggia's in het Vaticaan before 1861

Here we see Gustav Schauer's photographic reproductions of Raphael's Vatican frescoes. The reproductions, rendered in monochrome, are carefully arranged on the page, each framed within a distinct hexagonal border. Consider how Schauer’s choice of medium and presentation impacts our perception. Photography, unlike fresco, allows for the mechanical reproduction of images, which introduces the concept of seriality. This raises questions about authenticity and the aura of the original artwork. The hexagonal frames further isolate each scene, inviting a focused examination of their compositions. Notice how the formal structure, such as line and form, guides our eye and shapes our understanding. The use of monochrome simplifies the colour palette, emphasizing the tonal variations and underlying structures of Raphael's compositions. Such a formal quality underscores that art is not a singular, static entity, but an ongoing dialogue between artist, medium, and audience.