Fotoreproductie van een gezicht op de boog van Caligula before 1895

This photogravure print of the Arch of Caligula is a reproduction, made by an anonymous artist. Photogravure, a printmaking process, involves etching a photographic image onto a copper plate, then using it to create impressions on paper. The act of capturing the Arch through photography and reproducing it via photogravure transforms the ancient monument into a commodity, available for mass consumption. The textured surface of the print carries the marks of the mechanical reproduction process, and it adds a layer of depth and detail to the image, highlighting the play of light and shadow on the ancient stones. The print is a shadow of a shadow: the building is already a representation of power. The layering of skilled traditions, from photography and printing techniques, reflects the changing nature of art and its relationship to technology, labor, and capital. By understanding the materials, making, and context surrounding this photogravure, we gain insight into the complex layers of meaning embedded within it, challenging traditional distinctions between art, craft, and industry.