Stadsgezicht op een wijk in Peking before 1900

This photograph, "Stadsgezicht op een wijk in Peking," was made by C. v. Grünau. The photogravure, a labor-intensive printing technique, bridges photography and traditional printmaking. Light-sensitive gelatin tissue is exposed to a photographic negative, then transferred to a copper plate. The plate is etched with acid, creating an image in relief. Ink is applied, then wiped away, leaving ink only in the etched areas. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The photogravure process allows for continuous tones and fine detail, similar to a photograph. But the printing process imbues the image with a textural quality unique to the medium. The resulting print suggests a certain status, as it was an expensive and time consuming method of image production. By understanding the labor and skill involved, we can appreciate how the materiality of this photogravure transcends the boundaries of photography, entering the realm of fine art.