Noble Processes, or procedes nobles, or Edele procedes
S. Carl King ()
Fri, 17 January 1997 9:17 AM
There exists some confusion in the literature of Pictorialism and the
alternative processes as to the meaning of the term Noble Processes. Some
sources indicate that these processes are called noble because they
"ennoble" one with the ability to make greater works of art, while other
sources relate this to the Noble scale (Cathodic value) of the metal. If
the first understanding is accepted all of the alternative processes (gum,
carbon, cyanotype) are "noble" but if the latter prevails only platinum
and palladium sanking@hubcap.clemson.edu (and perhaps gold are admitted.
Although I do not have definitive documentation on this subject my opinion
is that the origianl use of the term noble was applied only to platinum and
palladium.
Sandy King
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