Handcolored

Handcolored refers to images in which color has been applied by hand to a monochrome original after it was created, rather than being produced in color during the printing or photographic process. The practice was especially common from the 18th through the early 20th centuries, in both prints and photographs.

In printmaking, color was added to engravings and lithographs with brushes, watercolors, gouache, or inks. Colorists sometimes used stencils to guide pigment placement, producing carefully controlled tones. In photography, colorists painted on black-and-white prints—such as albumen, salted-paper, or gelatin prints—often following reference images or color charts to achieve naturalistic effects. Some works were fully handpainted, while others used selective coloring to emphasize particular subjects.

The color work was typically performed by skilled artisans known as colorists. Because the color was applied by hand, each handcolored print could be unique, distinguishing it from purely mass-produced color reproductions. Museum labels or catalog entries often designate an image as handcolored or hand-colored to indicate the manual addition of pigment.

Conservation and reception considerations include the preservation of delicate pigments, potential fading, and the need to balance historic value with ongoing care. Handcolored works are valued for their craftsmanship and the aesthetic warmth they bring to monochrome originals, and they remain a notable intersection of art and technology in printmaking and early photography.