Portret van Henry-Félix Frécot before 1884

This portrait of Henry-Félix Frécot is an engraving printed onto paper, bound in a book of his collected works, by an anonymous maker. The crisp lines of the portrait were achieved through skilled engraving techniques, likely on a metal plate. The printmaking process, involving the careful transfer of ink to paper, results in a tactile surface and intricate detailing. The portrait, once complete, has been reproduced, printed, and bound in a book. This process reflects the industrialization of image-making and book production during the time, when advancements in printing technologies made images and texts accessible to a wider audience. The book is a precious object because it contains a biographical portrait that has been reproduced mechanically. This illustrates how technologies of reproduction alter our understanding of artistic creation, and challenge traditional notions about labor and value.