Compositie van vijf foto's met geweien van elanden c. 1900

William Inglis created this composite of five photographs of moose heads, we don’t know exactly when, but the act of assembling it speaks volumes. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hunting, particularly of large game like moose, became a symbol of masculinity and dominance over the natural world. This image captures the complex relationship between humans and nature, reflecting a desire to possess and control, but also, perhaps, to document and preserve. The photographic technology and the act of composition suggest an effort to categorize and showcase these trophies. Consider the emotional weight of these images. While they might evoke a sense of accomplishment for the hunter, they also confront us with questions of ethics, conservation, and the impact of human actions on animal populations. Inglis's composition invites us to reflect on these tensions and consider the stories behind each of these captured animals, as well as the broader implications of such practices.