Reproductie van een schilderij van de heilige Christoffel met Christus op zijn schouders before 1863

This is a reproduction of a painting of Saint Christopher carrying Christ, and it was made using a photogravure process. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking technique, meaning the image is etched into a metal plate and then transferred to paper. The tonal range of the image, from the darkest shadows to the lightest highlights, results from differences in etching depth. This is achieved through careful exposure of the plate to light through a film positive, creating a continuous tone image. The plate is then inked, and the image is transferred to paper through a high-pressure printing press. In the context of reproductive prints like this, photogravure allowed for a relatively accurate and consistent dissemination of images, democratizing access to artworks for a wider audience. Consider the labor involved in the original painting, and then the multiple stages of photographic and chemical work needed to produce this print. The relatively mechanical nature of photogravure belies a complex interplay of craft and industrial processes. It's a testament to how artistic practices adapted to new technologies, bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and mass production.