Nest met eieren c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph, "Nest met eieren" or "Nest with eggs," the date of which is currently unknown. Tepe was a Dutch photographer and a prominent figure in the development of nature photography in the Netherlands. In this image, the nest, a symbol of home and new beginnings, is vulnerably exposed. It invites contemplation about nature, life cycles, and the concept of motherhood across species. Tepe’s image exists at a time when access to nature was increasingly mediated through scientific and colonial narratives. The scientific gaze often distanced observers from the emotional and personal connections with the natural world. There is a quiet simplicity to the photograph. It avoids imposing human narratives onto the scene, and invites viewers to consider their own relationship with the non-human world. It reminds us of our shared existence. It suggests that photography can serve as a tool for fostering empathy and respect towards the natural world.