Gezicht op de ruïnes van Olympia before 1900

This image of the ruins of Olympia was made by Jean Malvaux as a photogravure. This is an intaglio printmaking process, meaning that the image is etched into a metal plate, then inked and pressed onto paper. The resulting print has a rich, velvety texture that gives depth to the image. Malvaux's choice of photogravure speaks to the status of photography at the time as a blend of technology and craft. The process combines the precision of photographic reproduction with the hand-worked techniques of etching and printing, requiring skilled labor. This speaks to the wider social context of industrialization, where traditional crafts were being adapted and integrated with mass production, raising questions about labor, skill, and value in artmaking. The photogravure process bridges the gap between mechanization and artistry. In the end, considering the materials, production methods, and historical context provides a new perspective on photography as a crafted image.