Fotoreproductie van foto door Warren de la Rue van vlekken op de maan 1887 - 1888

This is a photographic print of an image of the moon, created by Marinus Pieter Filbri after a photograph by Warren de la Rue. The nature of photography at this time involved darkroom processes, alchemical manipulations, and a fair amount of risk. It was a fascinating blend of science and craft. This image is not a direct view of the moon through a telescope, but a copy of a photograph. This already tells us something about the changing status of photography at this time. The photograph itself is a kind of document, but the photographic print is also an object of study, a kind of craft in its own right. Look closely, and you can see the richness of tone achieved, with bright whites contrasting against the velvety dark sky. Paying close attention to materials, processes, and context allows us to appreciate the work not just as a scientific record but also as an aesthetic artifact. In this way, we can challenge traditional distinctions between art and other forms of visual culture.