Fotoreproductie van De aanbidding door de herders door Albrecht Bouts before 1861

This is a photomechanical print made by Edmond Fierlants in Belgium, reproducing Albrecht Bouts' painting of the Adoration of the Shepherds. Prints like this one played a crucial role in the 19th century. They democratized access to art by circulating images of masterpieces to a broader public. Photography was a new medium at the time, and institutions like museums and art academies eagerly adopted it. They saw it as a tool for education and for expanding their reach beyond the elite. This print reflects a desire to preserve and disseminate cultural heritage. To understand the image fully, one might consider Fierlant's business, and to whom it was marketing its prints. The image of the adoration speaks to the ongoing importance of the church, and the history of religious institutions in Belgium. Studying photographs like this one can offer insights into the cultural and technological landscape of 19th-century Europe. Further research into the archive of Fierlant's business and the taste of the Belgian art market could help us better understand the social life of this image.