RE – CREATING THE PAST ……

PICTORIALISM (1890 – 1930)

A way of recognition and integration of photography, as major mean of expression in the fascinating world of the “ BEAUX ARTS “ among the turn of the 19th – 20th century.

One century later, the recent development of digital image creates a more romantic revival for processes from the past like …

THE “ BROMOIL “ PROCESS :

The process is properly originated from the oil process,

which was suggested in a patent dated 1855.

Then it was in 1907 that C. WELBOURNE PIPER worked out a formula for the

BROMOIL PROCESS, on a suggestion by E. J. WALL.

BROMOIL is the “ odd one “ out in comparison with most of the other early processes.

The process was very popular in the early part of the 20th century.

The METHOD briefly , is, that the silver image, contained in gelatin on a bromide print,

is bleached away and at the same time,

the gelatin is hardened according to the amount of silver it contains.

Then it is fixed, washed and dried, after which it is re-soaked to condition the gelatin,

and then all surplus water is removed.

A greasy ink, such as lithographic ink, is then applied by brush and is accepted where the gelatin has hardened (black areas),

but is rejected where the gelatin has swollen by the water

(the highlights)

Thus, the original conventional bromide print is built up so, that the silver image – the black and white photograph – is now an ink image and PERMANENT like an “ etch “.

THE IMAGE BECOMES AN ARCHIVAL VALUE and the process is by definition called “ ALTERNATIV ”

By judicious application and partial removing of the ink, the worker has fine finishingcontrol.

THIS IS THE STAGE AT WHICH THE PHOTOGRAPHER CROSSES OVER THE BORDER INTO THE DOMAIN OF THE ARTIST AND ART PRINTMAKER. Called “ PICTORIALISM “.

Pictorialism, between photography and painting, as a means of expression, was understood to be a reflection of personal values of conduct and experience,

based on the notion of aesthetic significance and tradition.

The first wave of PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY was SYMBOLIST oriented

and the end product, mostly, was impressionist in treatment.

PICTORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY HAD ACHIEVED RECOGNITION

AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINE ARTS MOVEMENT.

The Bromoil process is a process that finds its origins in the early 1900′s. It has been abandoned by most artistwhen the color negative became common in the early 1930′s. This fine art has been maintained by very few artists. Radan is one the few artists in Europe still using this technique.

More information on Bromoil can be found on Wikipedia.

Nice to know:

All Bromoil photos are unique and one of a kind, even two bromoils made from the same negative are never alike.

All bromoils we deliver are certified with authenticity, and hand signed by Radan. They come framed in wood.

Radan does custom work also, but must have the original negative to work with.

 

 

Bromoil links:
www.bromoil.com/
www.saelon.com/bromoils/bromoils.html
photography.about.com/library/glossary/bldef_bromoil.htm
alt-photo.com/alt-photo/bromoil/reading%20room.html

 

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