Sculptuur van Antinoüs 1851 - 1890

This photograph captures a sculpture of Antinous, and prompts us to consider how images document objects. The original sculpture, which would have been carved from marble, required a subtractive process. The sculptor would have worked with chisels and rasps to remove material and refine the form, demonstrating their mastery of the material. This reproductive image is a completely different matter. Here, the photographer used light-sensitive chemistry to create an image of the sculpture. It is a process of reproduction rather than of unique making. By transforming the three-dimensional sculpture into a two-dimensional photograph, the photographer has altered our perception and experience of the artwork. The photograph flattens the sculpture's form, reducing the impact of its texture, weight, and volume, as well as its social and cultural significance. Thinking about the photograph reminds us that materials, making, and context are important in understanding the artwork, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.