Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van vier vrouwen en een vijfde persoon bij een heuvel, door P. J. Carpey before 1881

This photogravure print reproduces a painting by P.J. Carpey. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking process that uses photographic images to transfer a scene onto a metal plate, which is then etched and inked to create a print. The image is soft, with warm brown tones and a fine, velvety texture. The material qualities of the paper and ink contribute to the print’s overall aesthetic, giving it a sense of depth and richness. Photogravure emerged in the 19th century as a way of mass-producing high-quality photographic reproductions. It was labor-intensive, requiring skilled technicians to prepare the plates and operate the printing presses, a process that, while mechanized, still relied heavily on human expertise. This print sits within a tradition of fine art printing, yet its production also reflects the increasing industrialization of art making, blurring boundaries between craft, art and the new technologies of the time.