Untitled (detail) Nègre, Charles  (French, 1820-1880)

This unusual, possibly unique photogravure by Charles Nègre is made from a photograph of an architectural rendering of a large scale factory. It was most likely a demonstration by Nègre of the capacity of photography and photogravure to aid industry through the replication and scaling of intricate drawings and schematics. Considering the scale, the original drawing must have been quite large and difficult to transport (see detail).

The factory appears to be a seven story structure build over a river using turbines to drive the factory’s machinery. The print is striking in its graphic qualities and minute details.

References

By descent from the artist to Joseph Nègre, France; sold by Joseph Nègre to Galerie Françoise Paviot, Paris.