MODERN METHODS USED FOR REPRODUCTION OP PICTURES. 537 



The following paper was read : — 



1.— MODERN METHODS USED FOR THE REPRODUC- 

 TION OF PICTURES. 



By JouN J. HoRROCKS, Editor of " Tlie Illustrated Sydney News." 



SYNOPSIS. 



Introductory. — Photography, the chief agent in all modern process 

 work. Chemical Enyraviug, brief history and reference to 

 Chemitype, Paniconography, Zincography. Photo - Zinco- 

 graphy — Dawson's Type Etching, and direct Photo-Etching ; 

 the processes explained. The Meisenbach — Hints to artists 

 working for process reproduction. Day's Process Films, dec. 

 The C allotype and The Autotype. 



It is the ideal rendering of nature which is generally accounted 

 the peculiar purpose of art, but the fact remains that the ideal of 

 the greatest painters and sculptors is never far removed from the 

 literal and natural. 



The ideal easily recognised and appreciated is not far removed 

 from nature, but is the expression of the taste in the selection 

 and combination of familiar scenes and objects. 



Photograp]ty is the chief factor called to our aid in modern 

 processes of reproduction, and it is often urged for photograpliy 

 that its intense realism is a strong argument in its favour — but 

 does the pencil of light faithfully translate nature upon the 

 sensitive tilm — that is light as it is presented to our normal vision ? 

 Is not nature falsified by the incorrect rendering of colour into 

 monoclirome 1 To illustrate this : — ■ 



In the photograph we see that the upper part of a tower or 

 steeple is in much stronger liglit than the bottom, whilst in a 

 painting or engraving, the higher part is darker than the lower. 



Which is correct ? Does it not stand to reason that a high tower 

 against a cloudless sky, exercises greater illuniination at the top 

 in the broad expanse of light than at the bottom? Does the 

 painter violate nature to create artistic etlect 1 Surely his method 

 is the more pleasing and picturesque, but how can it be con- 

 trary to nature and yet true and beautiful 1 



Why does the high tower against a cloudless sky show the 

 upper part dark to our vision 1 It is due to a peculiarity of the 

 retina which shows itself when we exercise the eye, and has 



