Référence des portraits contemporains 1897 - 1899

This cover for ‘Référence des portraits contemporains’ was printed in September 1897 by Librairie Nilsson. The offset lithography process allowed for the inexpensive mass production of illustrated material like this. The design itself features a line drawing of a woman, perhaps an allegorical figure of artistry, operating a large format camera. What is interesting is that while photography democratized portraiture, its industrialization had a direct impact on traditional artistic practices. This publication is a direct result of photography’s popularity, but also a reflection on how it changed the work of artists. The book was part of a bi-monthly publication, suggesting a systematic approach to capturing and categorizing contemporary portraits. Ultimately, this cover emphasizes the changing landscape of art and representation in the late 19th century. It is a testament to the industrialization of artistic practices.