Portret van Henriette Marguerite Madeleine Jarre 1877 - 1879

Georges Bellenger rendered this portrait of Henriette Marguerite Madeleine Jarre using a photogravure. This printing process, popular in the late 19th century, was a way of translating the new medium of photography into something more akin to traditional printmaking. Photogravure is an intaglio process, meaning that the image is etched into a copper plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. If you look closely, you can see the subtle tonal variations achieved through this technique, which aimed to mimic the depth and richness of a photograph. The textures and tones embedded in the work were labor intensive, demanding skilled hands to execute. Bellenger’s choice of photogravure speaks to a moment when mechanical reproduction was transforming the art world. Processes like this blurred the lines between photography, printmaking, and painting, raising questions about originality and the role of the artist's hand. By examining the materials and processes used to create this image, we gain a deeper appreciation for its cultural and historical significance.