Fotoreproductie van een tekening van een bruidspaar met hun gevolg op een bordes c. 1871 - 1881

This photogravure of a drawing, likely made in the late 19th or early 20th century, depicts a wedding scene complete with bride, groom, and attendants. Photogravure, as a process, is fascinating. It’s a way of etching a photographic image onto a copper plate, allowing for a print with continuous tones. Think about the labor involved: first, the creation of the original drawing, then the complex chemical processes to transfer and etch that image, and finally the physical act of printing. The texture of the paper, combined with the ink, creates a tactile experience. It’s a far cry from today's digital reproduction; each print required skill and time. The choice of photogravure elevates the drawing. It speaks to a desire to preserve and disseminate images, but in a way that retains an aura of craft. This process blurs the line between mechanical reproduction and artistic creation, giving value and permanence to the anonymous artist's work. By understanding the material and the making, we can appreciate the social and cultural significance of this image.