Fotoreproductie van een prent naar een fresco door Rafaël van de aanbidding der koningen before 1868

This is a photographic reproduction by Edward Dunmore, who lived between 1835 and 1910, of a print of Raphael’s fresco, the Adoration of the Magi. Raphael's fresco, a canonical Renaissance image of the three kings presenting gifts to the infant Jesus, speaks to a moment of cultural and religious exchange, and this reproduction connects us to how the artwork was shared with a wider audience. In 19th-century Europe, photography became a means for institutions to disseminate images of artworks far and wide. This photomechanical print, published in a book, allowed people who could not travel to see Raphael’s fresco. It highlights the democratization of art that was taking place in Europe at this time. To fully understand this image, we should research the history of photography and printmaking, the history of art institutions, and the role of art in shaping cultural values. By studying art through its social and institutional contexts, we gain a greater appreciation of the cultural forces that gave it meaning.