Abstract
The different experiments that gave rise to photography had as their object
initial tive the reproduction of objects from life to facilitate their copying by artis
tass and scientists. This origin as an auxiliary tool has had different views
tentes, among which is the reproduction of works of art. In this
article, we will make an approximation to the first steps in the reproduction
tion of works of art, their appearance in publications, as well as the origin of the
collecting these types of photographs to create iconographic repertoires
for the study and history of art.