Question

Describe the history, process, and importance of photogravure.

Answer 1

Process- It's an intaglio printmaking process in which a copper plate is coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue which has been exposed to a film positive, and then etched, resulting in a high quality intaglio print that can reproduce the detail and continuous tones of a photo.
History- It was invented by William Henry Fox Talbot and Karel Klic (key inventors). Patents by Talbot. Never patented by Klic, but some process variants patented later (1879).
Importance- It was one of the earliest experiments in transferring photographic images onto paper. It's also played an important role in many photographers and publishers missions.

Answer 2

Photogravure was invented in 1876. Similar to Intaglio printing, it is printing process in which an image is photographed through a screen on to a sensitized printing plate that after development is etched. Basically, the artist creates a film positive on a piece of film, so it is transparent. Light is then projected through the film positive onto some type of plate or surface, which has a tissue coated with a gel cover. Through a number of exposures and washings, parts of the gel hardens, while other do not. Recessed areas form with each trial that can then be filled with ink for printing. It is important to the history of photography because it is the earliest known form for reproducing photographs on film.