Gezicht op Edmond Picard zittend in een tuin before 1884

This portrait of Edmond Picard, seated in a garden, was created by Georges Picard using a photogravure process. Photogravure involves etching a photographic image onto a metal plate, typically copper, and then using it to create an intaglio print. The material qualities of the print – its soft tonal range and velvety texture – arise directly from the photogravure process. Each print involves considerable labor, from the preparation of the plate to the inking and pressing. The rich, dark tones and fine details suggest the artist's mastery over the medium. Photogravure, while a mechanical process, demanded skilled craftsmanship to achieve such aesthetic refinement. This approach blurs the boundaries between photography, printmaking, and traditional graphic arts. Recognizing the labor and skill embedded in its creation allows us to appreciate the full depth and complexity of this seemingly straightforward portrait.