Autocoureur De Knyff, deelnemer aan de Tour de France voor automobielen, op een landweg in Vitry-le-François Possibly 1899

This photograph, taken by Delizy, captures a moment from the Tour de France automobile race. The image is made through the photogravure process, an early photographic technique where an image is etched into a metal plate and then printed. This intaglio printmaking method gives the image its unique sepia tone, depth, and subtle texture. Think about how this process would have required meticulous labor, from capturing the image to etching the plate and finally printing the photograph. There is an important parallel between the industrial labor of the car and the hand labor of the photograph. The photograph immortalizes an object that is both hand-made and machine-made. It also immortalizes a moment that speaks to the rise of capitalism and the increasing desire for speed and competition. By understanding the materials and processes involved in creating this photograph, we can appreciate it not only as a historical document but also as a testament to the intersection of technology, craft, and culture in the early 20th century.