Elf aanzichten van onbekende personen met musculaire atrofie before 1901

These eleven views of unknown people with muscular atrophy were printed using photography sometime in the past. The artist, who is anonymous, captures the models with a limited palette, black, white and the pale yellow paper that serves as a background. The artist appears to be exploring how many ways they can represent the human form. It's a process of observation, recording, and categorizing. The images are stark and direct. The cool and clinical approach of the photographer emphasizes the bodies. Look at the contrast in tone. A sense of light and shadow emphasizes the textures of the skin and the variations in muscle tone. The bottom row of the photos really highlights the range of bodies. Each image feels like a fragment of a larger story, a story of resilience, vulnerability, and the human condition. The work reminds me of the medical photography of people like Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot, though perhaps with a slightly more empathetic eye. Ultimately, this piece is not about answers, but about sparking questions and opening up possibilities for seeing and feeling.