Portret van Anne de Montmorency in gedecoreerde lijst, opgesteld tijdens de Exposition Rétrospective van 1873 in Tours, Frankrijk 1873

This is a photograph by Gabriel Blaise, taken at the Exposition Rétrospective of 1873 in Tours, France. It depicts a portrait of Anne de Montmorency, framed within an ornate, decorated border. The photograph itself, likely an albumen print, captures the texture and form of the original portrait and its setting. But consider also the labor involved in the making of the frame, with its complex ornamentation and heraldic crest. These were skilled traditions, requiring expertise in carving and gilding, and their inclusion elevates the status of the depicted subject. Photographs like this one were made for reproduction and distribution, making historical artworks accessible to a wider audience. This was modern technology entering into dialogue with traditional crafts. This image is more than just a record; it's a material statement about value, labor, and the democratization of art. The photograph is an object too, and this challenges our assumptions about what truly constitutes a work of art.