Gezicht op de Johanneskerk in Stuttgart, Duitsland before 1875

This is an albumen print of the Johanneskirche in Stuttgart, made by Georg Maria Eckert. As a photographic print, it is a product of both chemical processes and manual labor, involving preparation of the light-sensitive emulsion, careful exposure in the camera, and development in the darkroom. The albumen process, which was common in the 19th century, used egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper, a technique that speaks to the intersection of craft and technology. The monochromatic tones and sharp details are influenced by the materials and development processes used. The print is mounted onto a larger sheet, which gives it a precious, designed quality. The mount also situates the image, with letterpress-printed text surrounding the photograph. Consider how the act of capturing and reproducing an image of the church democratizes its image. Photography opened up artistic media to a far wider range of practitioners, not just those trained in drawing or painting. This image prompts us to consider the social and economic context of artistic production, blurring the lines between documentation, artistry, and the wider culture of photographic reproduction.