Gezicht op de trouwzaal van het stadhuis van Brussel, België before 1898

This image by G. Choppinet captures the wedding hall of Brussels' city hall, rendered through the reproductive technique of photogravure. Photogravure, an intaglio process, begins with a copper plate, coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue. This is exposed to a photographic positive, then etched in acid, creating an image in relief. Ink is then applied, and the print is made under immense pressure, transferring the image to paper. The velvety blacks and smooth gradations of tone seen here are characteristic of the medium, which was prized for its ability to capture fine detail and tonal range, offering a high degree of fidelity to the original photograph. Photogravure, though complex and labour-intensive, allowed for wider distribution of images, democratizing access to art and architecture. Consider the social context in which this print was created. While it captures a scene of civic importance, it also reflects the rise of industrial processes and the changing landscape of artistic production, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.