Fotoreproductie van een prent van een kasteel before 1889

This photograph by Nicolas Maroldt is a copy of a print of a castle, mounted on card stock. Taken in the late 19th century, it reflects a shift in photographic practice, where the medium was no longer just about capturing reality, but also reproducing other images. Consider the labour involved: from the photographer's skill in capturing the image, to the darkroom processes of developing the print, to the mounting of the photograph onto card stock, these steps involve a whole chain of activity. The image is not just a representation of a castle but an index of social, industrial, and technological processes of the era. The photograph raises questions about authenticity and value. Is it a mere copy, or does the act of reproduction imbue it with new meaning? By considering the materials and processes involved, we can move beyond traditional art historical hierarchies and appreciate the photograph as a fascinating object in its own right.