Fotoreproductie van een tekening van Herman van Swanevelt 1851 - 1878

This photomechanical print reproduces a drawing by Herman van Swanevelt, and was made by Giovanni Brampton Philpot in the 19th century. The process used is key to understanding its place in the art world. Photomechanical reproduction allowed for the mass production of images, making art more accessible but also changing its status. Unlike a unique drawing, this print exists in multiple copies. The texture, weight and colour of the print give it a different feel to the original artwork. Consider the labour involved; while Swanevelt skillfully made the initial drawing, Philpot engaged with the industrialized processes of photographic reproduction. This print sits at the intersection of art, craft, and industry. It invites us to question traditional hierarchies and to consider the social and economic context in which art is made and consumed.