Drie foto's van insectenvleugels c. 1856

Here we see three insect wings, captured by Ernst Heeger through photography. The prints are sepia-toned, a process that uses a chemical treatment to convert metallic silver into silver sulfide. The sepia tone lends a sense of timelessness, a quality that stands in contrast to the precision of the photographic process. The images are not just records; they're meticulously arranged and presented, hinting at the labor involved in capturing and printing. The images bring into focus not just the forms of the insect wings, but the very act of seeing itself. Photography, though technologically advanced, also mirrors traditional printmaking. Each print requires careful handling and chemical expertise. The work invites us to consider the relationship between nature, technology, and human intervention. Are we looking at a scientific document, or a work of art? The answer, of course, is both.