Gezicht op de vuurtoren van Grau d'Aigues-Mortes before 1883

This vintage photograph captures the lighthouse of Grau d'Aigues-Mortes, a scene rendered through the photogravure process. This painstaking method involves etching an image into a metal plate and using it to create a print. The very nature of photogravure speaks to the industrialized world of its time, requiring not only artistic vision but also technical skill and complex equipment. Look at the image's fine tonal gradations, achieved through careful manipulation of light and chemicals. The photograph's social context lies in its depiction of infrastructure and maritime activity. The lighthouse, boats, and waterfront structures all point to human efforts to tame and utilize the natural environment. It prompts us to consider the labor and resources required to build such structures. The photogravure process itself represents a form of skilled labor. By understanding the materials and processes involved in its making, we recognize the full meaning of this image, and challenge any assumptions about the divide between art, craft and industry.