ARTIGUE PROCESS A modification of the carbon process, named after its inventor, Mons. Artigue. No safe edge is necessary on the negative, there is no transfer, and consequently the print is not reversed. The paper for this process is sup plied coated with a mixture of a colloid sub stance and a very fine black pigment. It is supplied insensitive, and requires to be sensi tised by floating on a 2 per cent. solution of potassium bichromate. A thin negative is most suitable for this process, and the exposure of the print is timed by means of an actinometer as in ordinary carbon printing. An essential feature of the process is the method of develop ment. A very fine sawdust is supplied by the makers of the paper ; this has to be mixed with water to about the consistency of a thick soup. The print is soaked in tepid water for a few minutes, and then laid face upwards on a sheet of glass. The sawdust and water mixture, preferably tepid, is poured over the print from a jug. The print is rinsed from time to time so that the progress of development may be judged, and the pouring of the sawdust mixture is con tinued until the print is sufficiently light, exactly as the pouring of water in an ordinary carbon print. As soon as development is completed, the print is well rinsed to remove any of the sawdust that may adhere, then placed in a 5 per cent. solution of alum for five minutes,
rinsed in two or three changes of water, and dried. The surface of the prints is exceedingly delicate, and very great care has to be exercised throughout to prevent injury. The prints pro duced by this process are characterised by very great delicacy and rich quality. They have a delicate velvety matt surface, the deepest shadows are a rich black with full detail, and the scale of gradation is good.
The Artigue process has never been exten sively worked in England. Suggested reasons are the extreme tenderness and delicacy of the coating, which necessitates great care at all stages, and the difficulty experienced in obtain ing the materials. The introduction of the gum bichromate process has lessened the demand for a paper of the Artigue character, and several attempts to introduce a paper somewhat similar have met with very slight success. It must be conceded, however, that none of the substitutes has equalled Mons. Artigue's production in delicacy of surface, in richness of quality, or in gradation.