Reproductie van een schilderij van een onderbroken feest door Jacques Jordaens before 1878

This is a reproduction by Joseph Maes, made sometime between 1838 and 1908, of Jacques Jordaens’ painting of an interrupted feast. While it is tempting to discuss the scene depicted, let’s focus on the material nature of this reproduction itself. It is a photograph, likely printed using a mechanical process common in the 19th century for illustrating books. Consider the labor involved: from the photographer carefully setting up the shot, to the printing process turning out identical copies, each step dependent on both human skill and industrial machinery. The original painting was undoubtedly costly, and so out of reach for all but a few wealthy patrons. This reproduction offered wider accessibility, transforming the artwork into a commodity circulated amongst the middle class. It is a powerful reminder that our encounters with art are very often mediated through the lens of mass production and consumption. This book invites us to consider how the value and meaning of art shift as they move from the artist's studio to a wider, more democratic audience.