PHOTOMECHANICS · Photomechanical printing in Europe in the mid-19th century: History, theory, visual culture, science and the international network in the 1840s-1860s

Photomechanical printing in Europe in the mid-19th century: History, theory, visual culture, science and the international network in the 1840s-1860s

There are three long-standing tendencies most apparent in existing scholarship: Firstly, contrary to the large interest in developing fine photomechanical printing processes in the 1840s–60s, the historiography concentrated only on a small number of figures. Secondly, most of the existing publications, no matter how insightful they are, centre on specific figures with regard to the national or regional context, and/or do not exceed the extent of an article or a book chapter. Finally, many interpretations often proceed from period assessments, which were not without prejudice, and try to draw up a hierarchy as a decisive feature to serve as an axis around which to turn the subject. The project argues that the whole process of early photomechanical printing development was in fact quite effective, complex, utterly international, spatially conditioned and collaborative and as such should be interpreted in terms of international scientific and visual culture network. The project’s overall objectives were: 1/ to survey relevant collections and archives with an aim to identify, study, analyse, compare, and interpret a critical mass of preserved incunabula and other relevant visual and written documents as a necessary base to achieve further research objectives; 2/ to explore history and development of photomechanical pre-industrial printing culture. It comprised analysis and interpretation of primary visual and written material, period theoretical discussions on development of photomechanical technologies, their application, potential, as well as motivation and approaches of their inventors and users; 3/ to research and analyse use of early photomechanical prints in the arts and science. This focus of research helped to understand what factors were involved in the delay of the photomechanical printing dissemination and to disclose how photomechanical prints affected the work of scientists, artists and art historians, in both the theory and practice; 4/ to contribute to better understanding of an important chapter of modern visual culture history; 5/ to draw attention to preservation and appropriate care of little known and therefore neglected cultural heritage. Through close collaboration with the supervisor and partner institutions, the fellow was able to follow most of her research objectives, extend her research and expertise in history of science and photography, and to enhance her complex research capacities. She was able to reach higher visibility in the international academic network, establish new international contacts, improve her international publication record, as well as her managerial and publication skills.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union