Photogravure
A photomechanical printing process for reproducing photographs in large editions invented in 1879 by Karl Klic of Vienna. Similar to an etching process, it uses a polished copper plate upon which a fine resin dust is adhered by heat. The plate is etched with acid in differing depths in proportion to the tones of the picture, the shadows being the deepest and holding the most ink. The technique was used for reproductions of the work of many of the best-known pictorial photographers in the 1890s and 1900s.
OF 2
King George IV
published by William Heinemann, after Sir William Beechey
late 19th or early 20th century (1798)
NPG D33329
Anne Townshend (née Montgomery), Marchioness Townshend
after Sir Joshua Reynolds
(1779-1780)
NPG D14344
William Henry Grenfell, Baron Desborough as Mercutio
by Lafayette, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41056
Gwladys Robinson, Marchioness of Ripon when Countess de Grey as Cleopatra
by W. & D. Downey, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41225
Edith Amelia (née Ward), Lady Wolverton as Britannia
by Lafayette, photogravure by Walker & Boutall
1897; published 1899
NPG Ax41044
Sir William Stephen Alexander Lockhart ('Men of the Day. No. 725. "Tirah."')
by Sir Leslie Ward
published in Vanity Fair 8 September 1898
NPG D6769
Charles William Sherborn
after Arthur Ellis
1899 (1898)
NPG D21212
Richard Everard Webster, Viscount Alverstone
published by The Graphic, after John Seymour Lucas
published 21 June 1902
NPG D7347
Charles Haslewood Shannon
by Alvin Langdon Coburn
5 February 1907
NPG Ax7780
William Strang
by James Craig Annan
published 1907
NPG P357
Thomas Hardy
by E.O. Hoppé
1914
NPG P310
Pamela May
by Gordon Anthony
1946
NPG x127353
OF 2