The betrayal before 1890

Carl Stockmann’s ‘The Betrayal’ is a photograph, made using the photogravure process; an image chemically etched into a copper plate and printed. It's a mechanically reproducible image, yet the hand and skill of the printer remains vital. Photogravure is a labor-intensive process which relies on light-sensitive materials and acids to create the recesses in the plate. Ink fills these areas, and is then transferred to paper under great pressure, resulting in rich tones and fine detail. Looking at the print, you can see that the subtle gradations of light and shadow create a somber atmosphere, and that the photogravure process perfectly captures the sculptural detail. This process was popular at the end of the 19th century for reproducing artworks, making them accessible to a wider audience. The laborious process of photogravure mirrors the effort and skill invested in the original sculpture, and raises important questions about labor, value, and authenticity, and the role of reproduction.