Habenaria orbiculata- Round-leaved Orchid 1931

This photogravure of Habenaria orbiculata, or round-leaved orchid, was made by Edwin Hale Lincoln. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking process, using a copper plate that has been photographically exposed, then etched. The plate is inked, and then the image is transferred to paper through a high-pressure printing press. The resulting print has a continuous tone, much like a photograph, but with the rich, tactile quality of an etching. Lincoln was a specialist in botanical photography, which demanded a high level of technical skill. It also demanded a deep engagement with his subject matter. His careful attention to the orchid’s texture and form gives this print a sculptural quality. By elevating the status of everyday objects through photography, Lincoln challenged the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft. He showed that even the most ordinary materials could be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful through skilled artistry.