Vijf fotoreproducties van een publicatie door de Arundel Society met prenten naar Giotto en een schilderij van Giovanni Santi before 1869

This collection presents five photographic reproductions of prints, initially published by the Arundel Society, depicting works by Giotto and Giovanni Santi. Focusing on process, we see here the layering of reproductive technologies. The Arundel Society played a key role in disseminating knowledge of Italian Renaissance art, commissioning prints that were widely circulated. Photography then enabled a further degree of reproduction, making these images even more accessible. The materiality of the photographic print is critical to its purpose. The texture and tone convey a sense of the original artwork while also testifying to the industrial processes that made its reproduction possible. It’s fascinating to consider how these layers of reproduction shape our understanding of art history. By examining the materials and methods used, we gain insight into the social and cultural forces driving art production and consumption in different eras. This challenges the hierarchy between original and copy, and questions the meaning of authenticity in art.