Portret van Jean Dumont before 1904

This photogravure of Jean Dumont was created anonymously, and its material qualities speak volumes about the subject it depicts. Produced using a copper plate etched with a photographic image and then printed with ink onto paper, this now antiquated process was itself embedded in systems of labor and class. The photogravure process was often used for high-quality reproductions, and demanded a skilled technician to achieve its rich tonal range and fine details. The texture and tone of the image, from Dumont’s confident gaze to his formal attire, speak of a certain social status. This portrait, though simple in composition, uses the photogravure technique to highlight the subject's character and position within society. It invites us to consider the social and economic forces at play in the creation and circulation of images, and the ways in which craft and technology intersect to shape our perceptions of the world.