Fotoreproductie van Die ersten Reitstudien 1870 - 1890

This photogravure, of an unknown date, reproduces an earlier artwork depicting a horseback rider with a dog. The photogravure process involves coating a copper plate with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue, exposing it to a photographic negative, and then etching the plate. The varying depths of the etch create an image when the plate is inked and pressed onto paper. This method allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible. The materiality of this work—the smooth surface of the print, the controlled tonal range achieved through the etching process—speaks to a shift in art production towards reproducibility. Photogravure democratized image-making, divorcing it from the unique hand of the artist. Yet, it simultaneously relied on skilled labor: the preparation of the plate, the careful etching, and the printing all required specialized knowledge and technique. Looking closely at the materials and making of this print, it challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, highlighting the cultural and social implications embedded in its production.