Fotoreproductie van een schilderij, voorstellende Siegfried smeedt het zwaard Nothung in het hol van Mime before 1876

This is a photo reproduction of a painting by Victor Angerer, representing Siegfried forging the sword Nothung, in Mime's lair. This photo reproduction is an artwork tied to industrial modes of production. The level of detail in the photograph hints at the quality of the plate and the printing process. This reproduction speaks to a time when advances in photography allowed for widespread distribution of artwork. The themes are those of the industrial revolution: raw labor, the importance of metal and blacksmithery, and class. This artwork, as a reproduction, is rooted in the labor of the photographer, the skilled work in printing, and the networks of distribution that circulated such images widely. The availability of photographs like this also meant a wider dissemination of cultural narratives. By understanding its materials, making, and context, we can more fully appreciate the social and cultural significance of this work.