Fotoreproductie van het schilderij Madonna delle seggiola door Rafaël before 1864

Hanns Hanfstaengl made this photomechanical reproduction of Raphael's Madonna della Seggiola in the 19th century. The photographic process involves skilled labor, beginning with setting up the shot to capture the subject and ending with printing and developing the image, using materials such as glass plates and a dark room for processing. The image is small and has a subdued tone characteristic of early photography. Although black and white processes were considered progressive, they lacked the capacity to capture the true colors of Raphael's original painting. Hanfstaengl’s photography offers a glimpse into the rise of industrial reproduction, offering a cost-effective means to circulate images to a wider audience. The work involved in producing this image lies in the technological processes of photography and printing. This mode of production contrasts with the traditional craft of painting. As such, this work blurs the lines between art and industry, demonstrating the cultural and social implications of mass production in the art world.