Fotoreproductie van het schilderij Aanbidding door de herders door Correggio c. 1864

This is a photographic reproduction, made by Hanns Hanfstaengl in the mid-19th century, of Correggio's painting, "Adoration of the Shepherds". The original was painted on wood with oil paints, whereas this is a photograph, likely a salted paper print, a process that was prevalent in the 1840s and 50s. The most striking aspect of this work is the way that photography democratizes access to art. Photography was a relatively new medium at the time, and made artworks more widely available. This reproduction, while aesthetically different from painting, represents a shift in the art world, a move toward mass production and consumption. What’s also interesting is that it's within a book. This adds to the intimate experience of viewing the work. Instead of going to a museum to see the art, it is more like leafing through an album in your own home. It's a distinctly different experience than seeing the original painting. By considering the materials and processes involved in its making, we can appreciate this artwork as more than just a copy, but a unique object in its own right, with its own historical and cultural significance.