Fotoreproductie van een schilderij van een vrouw die langs een op een kier staande deur kijkt door Antoine Wiertz before 1868

This photographic reproduction of a painting by Antoine Wiertz was made by Edmond Fierlants sometime in the mid-19th century. Photography at this time was a relatively new medium, and the processes required were laborious and time-consuming. In this photograph, Fierlants captured Wiertz’s original painting, which depicts a woman peering through a slightly ajar door. Note how the photograph translates the textures and details of the original painting into a monochromatic image. The grain of the wooden door, the subtle shadows, and the woman’s curious expression are all faithfully reproduced. This was made possible through the wet collodion process, which required coating a glass plate with chemicals, exposing it in a camera, and then developing it immediately. Photography was initially seen as a scientific tool, however, it was quickly embraced by artists. Fierlants’ work demonstrates the medium’s potential for documentation, reproduction, and artistic expression, blurring the lines between traditional art forms and new technologies. The image speaks to the democratizing potential of photography, making art accessible to a wider audience.