Untitled (31) c. 1890

Ferdinando Ongania made this photograph of Venice's Doge's Palace using the photogravure process. Unlike a typical photograph, which relies on light-sensitive chemicals, photogravure is a hybrid technique that combines photography and etching. First, a photographic image is transferred onto a metal plate. This plate is then etched, creating an image in relief. Ink is applied to the plate and then transferred to paper through a printing press. Ongania's choice of photogravure allowed for the creation of multiple, high-quality prints with rich tonal depth and fine detail, ideal for capturing the intricate stonework of the palace. The process speaks to a moment in which photography was becoming a widely available commodity, yet still tied to handcraft. By understanding the photogravure process, we can appreciate Ongania's artistic skill in blending technology and handcraft to create this enduring image of Venice, and the role of this image-making in the tourist industry. It challenges the boundaries of fine art, commercial photography, and printmaking.