Vlakken met aalbessen, kruisbessen en vogels before 1897

This is a photogravure print, “Vlakken met aalbessen, kruisbessen en vogels,” made by an anonymous artist. It beautifully captures currants, gooseberries, and birds. This print’s monochrome palette gives it a timeless feel, while the photogravure technique itself adds depth and richness to the image. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking process, where an image is photographically transferred to a metal plate, etched, and then printed. The tones are created by the varying depths of the etching, which hold different amounts of ink. The process is meticulous and labor-intensive, demanding skilled artisans who understood the chemistry and mechanics involved. The choice of photogravure speaks to a broader interest in marrying new technologies with traditional craft. It was a way to reproduce images with a level of detail and nuance unmatched by other printing methods of the time. This convergence of photography and printmaking underscores the changing landscape of art and visual culture, challenging traditional hierarchies between fine art and mechanical reproduction.