Portret van de schilder Jules Denneulin before 1882

This is a photographic portrait of the painter Jules Denneulin, printed in a book titled "Le Nord Contemporain." While we don't know the photographer, or the exact date, the inscription indicates it was made in Lille in 1892. Considered as a physical object, it's a fascinating convergence of materials and processes. Photography, then relatively new, allowed for the precise capture of Denneulin’s likeness. But this image was not made to stand alone. Instead, it was integrated into a book, a relatively inexpensive printed form that democratized access to images and information. The photograph itself is a study in tonal control, achieved through darkroom techniques. Meanwhile, the typography and linear border around the portrait are products of industrial printing. This combination of photographic skill and mechanical reproduction reflects the changing landscape of image-making at the end of the 19th century. This integration speaks to the leveling of aesthetic hierarchies, and the intertwining of art, craft, and industry.