Sarphatistraat and Hoge Sluis, seen from the Paleis voor Volksvlijt; Frederiksplein and Weteringschans, seen from the Paleis voor Volksvlijt; Binnen-Amstel, seen in the direction of the Munt c. 1894

Gerrit Hendricus Heinen captured this photogravure of Amsterdam streets sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking process, meaning the image is etched into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The result is a print with rich tonal variations and fine detail, almost like a photograph. What makes this image interesting is the combination of technology and labor. The photographic process itself was still relatively new, requiring specialized knowledge and equipment. Meanwhile, the photogravure process demanded skilled craftsmanship to etch the plate and create the final print. Heinen's choice of photogravure elevates photography to the realm of fine art, blurring the lines between mechanical reproduction and handmade artistry. In doing so, he shows us how technology and craftsmanship can combine to create lasting beauty.