Microscopische opname van kop van een nachtvlinder, negentig keer vergroot 1887 - 1888

This is Marinus Pieter Filbri’s microscopic photograph of a moth’s head, magnified ninety times. Filbri, working at the turn of the 20th century, was part of a generation captivated by the revelations of science, and the camera was a key tool in unveiling unseen worlds. This image brings the hidden to the forefront, and asks us to consider our place in the natural order. Consider the gendered dimensions of scientific exploration, with men historically dominating fields like microscopy. Here, Filbri offers a perspective that blurs boundaries, inviting us to see beyond human-centric viewpoints. This ghostly moth head seems both alien and intimately familiar, challenging us to extend our empathy to the non-human. Does this image evoke a sense of wonder, or perhaps a more unsettling feeling? As we gaze into the magnified face of this moth, we’re prompted to think about the countless other beings with whom we share this world, each with its own story.