Sadie Gordon Weston c. 1895

This is "Sadie Gordon Weston," a photogravure print made by William B. Post sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking process. First, a copper plate is coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue. Then, a positive transparency of the photograph is exposed onto the prepared plate. The plate is then etched in an acid bath, with the varying depths of the etch corresponding to the tones in the original photograph. Finally, the plate is inked and printed onto paper. This process yields rich tonal range and fine detail. But it is labor-intensive and requires specialized knowledge. Photogravure was embraced by art photographers like Post because it allowed them a way of making images that had a handmade feel. Post was pushing back against the increasing mechanization of photography. With the photogravure, he could assert his artistry.