Parente, the Ardotype & Nic. Molitor
Artist Residency
The artist residency “Parente, l’Ardotypie & Nic. Molitor” presents a photographic exhibition on slate, along with a series of workshops, as part of the opening of Villa Rother and its Espace Nic. Molitor on 13 June 2026.
Exhibition
An exhibition of slate photographs by Alessandro Parente, created in september 2025, both locally and beyond the region, will be on display from 5 June to 21 June 2026.
The opening reception will take place on 4 June 2026.
The exhibition is hosted in the former sawmill building on the site of the Slate Museum and is accessible free of charge during opening hours.
In order to highlight this heritage and mark the opening of Villa Rother in line with the Slate Museum’s concept “Living History – Experience History” (Lieweg Geschicht – Geschicht erliewen), the museum has collaborated with contemporary artist and photographer Alessandro Parente. Over recent years, he has been symbolically supported in developing a historical photographic process: the ambrotype applied to slate plates. He refers to this technique as “Ardotype,” in reference to the slate used as the image support.
Alessandro Parente is an Italian photographic artist whose work deliberately follows paths beyond the mainstream. His photography serves minorities, forgotten landscapes, people in need, and unconventional processes, with the aim of revealing the essence of his subjects through historical techniques that are more refined, precise, and sincere.
In 2022, he further developed the collodion process to produce photographs on slate rather than glass. His first exhibition of ardotypes took place in Charleville-Mézières, followed by a presentation in the Belgian Ardennes in 2023. In 2025/2026, he continues his work in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the third partner in his artistic journey.
Ardotype is a demanding technique requiring not only mastery of the photographic process but also of a natural material that allows for unpredictability and tolerates no imprecision. A recurring theme in Parente’s work is nature unfolding above the slate bedrock of the Ardennes, reflecting his intention to unite stone and living elements within his images. Since 2023, he has also been active as a contemporary photographer engaged in current political contexts, particularly in Ukraine.
What is an Ardotype?
Like the ambrotype, each ardotype is a unique, non-reproducible original. Producing an image on a carefully polished slate plate requires proven expertise and technical precision. Parente benefits from the knowledge of Vincent Theret—entrepreneur, artist, and the last active slate quarryman in the Greater Region—who assists in extracting and refining the slate to perfection.
Parente’s artistic innovation lies in replacing glass with slate as the negative’s support. Traditionally, an ambrotype is a transparent negative that must be placed against a black background to appear as a positive image. Parente combines these steps by producing the image directly on the dark surface of slate. Immortalising the Ardennes on slate forms a powerful link between the French, Belgian, and Luxembourgish Ardennes.
Photographer Alessandro Parente will be present at the Slate Museum throughout June 2026.
On Wednesday, 17 June, photographs will be taken on site in Haut-Martelange using the historic technique employed by Nic. Molitor. Molitor (1882–1952), a passionate photographer, worked with dry silver bromide plates. In 2024, his family donated an impressive collection of 1,900 glass plate negatives and 1,750 paper prints to the Slate Museum.
During the presentation, Parente will explain how to produce a glass negative using a camera similar to that used by Nic. Molitor, and demonstrate how it is developed into a positive image.
Visitors may register for a one-hour presentation, during which Alessandro Parente will explain this historic photographic technique and produce a glass plate negative before the audience.
Workshops
A series of workshops will complement the artist residency.
From Saturday 6. till Sunday 7. June
Workshop Ambrotypie
Historic Wet Plate Collodion Photography Technique.
Artist-photographer Alessandro Parente will explain the chemicals involved and the different steps required to produce an ambrotype. By the end of the course, each participant will have created their own ambrotype on site at the Slate Museum.
2-days workshop of 8 hours per day (16 hours total).
For adults - €350 per person.
In French.
Saturday 13.06 // Sunday 14.06
Workshop Photosensitive
Working with photosensitive materials to create negatives ready for printing.
Following a theoretical introduction, each group will learn how to produce a glass plate negative using the historic silver bromide process. The workshop also includes the production of negatives on photosensitive paper using a personal “black box”, as well as the printing of a final image.
4-hour workshop for families (max. 4 people).
(Groups of adults and children aged 10 and above)
€50 per family or €15 per person
In French.
From Saturday 20. till Sunday 21. June
Workshop Ambrotypie
Historic Wet Plate Collodion Photography Technique.
Artist-photographer Alessandro Parente will explain the chemicals involved and the different steps required to produce an ambrotype. By the end of the course, each participant will have created their own ambrotype on site at the Slate Museum.
2-days workshop of 8 hours per day (16 hours total).
For adults - €350 per person.
In French.
Registration required :
info@ardoise.lu // +352 23 640 141
Limited places available!
