Patiënt lijdend aan de huidziekte 'ichthyosis simplex' before 1881

This photograph, titled "Patient suffering from the skin disease 'ichthyosis simplex'," is from an unknown time and was created by an anonymous artist. The image is stark. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the texture of the skin and brings the condition into sharp relief. Light plays across the affected area, casting shadows that articulate the folds and lines. The composition is simple, focusing the viewer's attention on the patient’s skin. The photograph appears to challenge conventional beauty standards. What strikes me is how this piece intersects with the emerging science of its time, reflecting a shift towards clinical observation and documentation. It destabilizes the traditional boundaries of art by using visual representation to serve scientific inquiry, prompting us to consider the cultural and ethical implications of medical representation.