Fotoreproductie van zes foto's van de kathedraal van Bristol before 1880

This is a reproduction of six photographs of Bristol Cathedral, made by Ch. Pumphrey & Co. It is printed on paper, a mass-produced material which became increasingly available during the industrial revolution. This availability allowed the Pumphrey company to reproduce and distribute these images widely, and the photographic process itself enabled the mass production of images for the first time. The tonal range is limited to sepia, which evokes a sense of nostalgia, a deliberate aesthetic choice that elevates the architecture through the pictorial. The photographic techniques employed would have required skill and precision, engaging with the history of both photography and printmaking. This approach democratized art, making it available to a wider audience and highlighting the cathedral's cultural and historical significance. It also speaks to wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption, inviting us to consider the cultural significance of the imagery. In understanding this artwork, we challenge the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. The focus is shifted towards accessibility, and cultural significance, and challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.