Gezicht op Thirlmere in het Lake District before 1870

This photogravure of Thirlmere in the Lake District by R.J. Sproat is made using a combination of photographic and printmaking techniques. The image begins as a photograph, captured on a light-sensitive plate. What happens next is where the craft comes in. A printing plate, typically copper, is coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue, exposed to the photographic negative, and then etched with acid. The varying depths of the etched areas hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under high pressure. This photogravure process results in rich, continuous tones and fine details, akin to a traditional photograph but with the added depth and texture of an intaglio print. The final print is far removed from the immediacy of a snapshot. It involves labor-intensive steps, each requiring skill and precision. The final result invites us to consider the intersection of technology, labor, and artistry in capturing and representing the natural world.