Invented in 1879 photogravure is a marriage of photography and engraving wherein the photographic image is chemically etched into the surface of a copper plate. This is done with an inter-positive which is contact printed onto the photo-sensitized copper plate, which is then microscopically etched. The plate is then inked and printed by hand, one print at a time. The process was capable of yielding unusually rich, delicate and continuous tones in a replicable fashion and was valued for its permanence. It was one of the most highly respected methods of photographic printing. It reached it's zenith in the early 1900's while Curtis was creating his magnum opus.


Paper Types:

Vellum: This image is printed on a sheet of Japanese Vellum, an expensive, high quality, hand made imported etching stock. It has a warm, rich tonality similar to aged Parchment stock. The surface is hard and smooth. With strong light and upon close inspection the individual paper fibers are visible.

Van Gelder: This image is printed on a sheet of Van Gelder, an expensive, high quality, hand made imported etching stock. It is a thick, heavy paper made in Holland a century ago. It has an ivory tonality with a soft, textured surface.

Tissue: This image is printed on a sheet of Japanese Gampi Tissue, a very expensive, high quality, hand made imported etching stock. It is extremely thin and translucent and is the rarest of paper types used by Curtis. It is estimated that less than 10% of extant Curtis prints are printed on this unusually durable and beautiful paper.