Micro-opname van een Pleurosigma angulatum before 1866

Albert Moitessier made this photograph of a Pleurosigma angulatum, a type of diatom, sometime in the mid-19th century. Photography, during this period, was rapidly changing not only art, but also science. Here, the meticulous detail captured by the lens offered new ways of seeing the microscopic world. Consider the Victorian era's obsession with categorizing and understanding the natural world, fueled by colonial expansion and scientific ambition. Institutions like museums and universities played a crucial role in promoting scientific inquiry, turning the pursuit of knowledge into a spectacle of public education and entertainment. How did this affect the way people saw their place in the world? To understand this image fully, we might delve into the archives of scientific journals. By examining the broader cultural and institutional context, we can reveal the complex interplay between science, art, and society.