Fresson Quadrichromy Print

Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles, 75013, Pierre Champion, 1970, 40 x 26,5 cm (avec marges : 46 x 32 cm), collection didactique D3P (tirage 2024 d'une épreuve avec le procédé Fresson, d'après une diapositive du concours "C'était Paris en 1970" conservée à la BHVP)

Historical period of production and use

The Fresson colour pigment print is inherited from the monochrome carbon "satin paper" process perfected at the end of the 19^th century by Théodore-Henri Fresson. It was developed by his son Pierre from 1950, then by his grandson Michel and is still practiced by his great grandson Jean-François in the family workshop in Savigny-sur-Orge, France.

Manufacturing

This process consists of four layers of bichromated gelatine containing natural or synthetic pigments for cyan, yellow, magenta and black colours, successively applied to the paper support. This is a direct pigment process, i.e. one that does not transfer picture layers onto a receiver media. Although the secrecy surrounding the making of a Fresson quadrichromy print remains, the main steps in the production process have been described by the family workshop.

The paper substrate is put through four successive coating-sensitising-exposure-development phases, one per colour. The coating of the pigmented and sensitised gelatine is carried out using a special machine invented by Théodore-Henri Fresson. The print is produced using a enlarger, which is unusual for a pigment-based process (maximum size: 62 × 92 cm). Under the action of the light, the bichromated colloid becomes insoluble proportionally to the light received. During development, the areas not exposed are eliminated by solubilising in hot water. A separating layer of gelatine is applied between each pigmented layer. Then the print is washed to remove any residual trace of bichromate, then dried in the open air and in a heated press. Retouching may be done before applying a finish, protective gelatine coat. The Fresson process produces results similar to those of gum bichromate techniques. The paper has a smooth surface, and the final image is matte with saturated colours.

Credits

Visual Glossary of Photographic Processes © ARCP / Mairie de Paris, 2015