Hoofd van Asklepios before 1878

This is Stephen Thompson's photographic study of the "Hoofd van Asklepios," or Head of Asclepius. Photography, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, played a crucial role in documenting art. The photographic process itself involves a fascinating alchemy, transforming light into a tangible image through chemical reactions on coated surfaces. It democratized the experience of art. The final photographic print, with its gradations of tone and texture, offers a unique aesthetic experience. By focusing on the process of creating and reproducing images, we come to understand the social and economic contexts in which artworks are made. The availability of images, like that of Asklepios, reshaped artistic value and access to knowledge. This pushes us to reconsider boundaries between art, craft, and industry.