Louisemeer before 1897

Walter Dwight Wilcox created this photogravure, Louisemeer, using a process rooted in both craft and industrial techniques. The image starts as a photograph, but is then transferred to a copper plate, which is etched and printed. This combination of photography and printmaking emphasizes the relationship between technological reproduction and the hand-made. The photogravure process allows for a wide range of tones, capturing the sublime grandeur of the landscape with its towering mountains and cascading waterfall. Wilcox was not only an artist, but also an explorer and mountaineer. His choice of subject matter reflects a fascination with the natural world. The labor and skill involved in creating photogravures like "Louisemeer" elevated photography to the realm of fine art, challenging the traditional hierarchy that placed painting and sculpture at the top. This underscores the value in understanding art through the lens of materials, making, and social context.