Fotoreproductie van het schilderij 'Le gué de Las-Laudiès, le jour du marché d'Aurillac' door Léon Barillot before 1884

This photogravure reproduces Léon Barillot's painting, "Le gué de Las-Laudiès, le jour du marché d'Aurillac." The monochromatic palette immediately imposes a subdued tone, drawing attention to the composition. The vertical orientation accentuates the height of the trees and the depth of the river, creating a stark contrast between the natural and human elements. The scene depicts a market day at a river ford. Note how the figures and carts are arranged along a diagonal axis, leading the viewer's eye into the pictorial space. This compositional strategy uses perspective to create a sense of depth, while also inviting contemplation of the social and economic interactions at play. The photogravure medium itself becomes significant. The tonal gradations achieved through the etching process provide a rich surface texture, enhancing the atmospheric effects and imbuing the scene with a sense of time. This work offers an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between artistic representation, social reality, and the material qualities of the medium itself.