Damrak, gezien vanaf het Centraal Station, Amsterdam before 1894

Gerrit Hendricus Heinen made this print of the Damrak in Amsterdam. It’s interesting to consider the materials of this photogravure. The photograph itself captures a moment in time, but the printing process involved is equally important. A copper plate was coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue, exposed to a photographic negative, etched with acid, and then printed on paper. Each of these steps involved skilled labor, from the photographer capturing the scene to the technicians and printers working in the darkroom and print shop. Look closely, and you'll see the sharp details and tonal range achieved through this method, a contrast to the pixelated images we're so used to today. This attention to craft elevates the image beyond a mere snapshot, giving us a glimpse into the social and economic context of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By examining the materials and processes involved in its creation, we gain a deeper appreciation for its artistic merit and cultural significance.