Elie Metchnikoff. Photogravure After Nicola Perscheid, 1907. 

This photogravure of Elie Metchnikoff was made in 1907 by Nicola Perscheid, using a process that blends photography with traditional printmaking. Photogravure is a fascinating technique, using light-sensitive gelatin tissue etched onto a copper plate. It's this plate that then holds the ink, transferring the image to paper. Look closely, and you'll notice the richness of tones, achieved through careful layering of ink. Unlike mass-produced prints, each photogravure is unique. It demands meticulous craftsmanship, from preparing the plate to the final pressing. There's a real connection here to older printmaking traditions, yet harnessed to photography's new capabilities. This blending of craft and technology is significant. It elevates photography beyond mere documentation, infusing it with an artistic sensibility. It reminds us that even in the age of mechanical reproduction, the human hand remains vital. In the end, it is a reminder that understanding process is key to appreciating the full story of a work of art.