Microscopische weergave van Jalap of Ipomoea purga before 1896

This is a microscopic view of Jalap or Ipomoea purga, by Léon Herlant. Considered through the lens of its historical context, this seemingly scientific image exists within a complex web of colonial exploitation and medical experimentation. Jalap, derived from a plant native to Mexico, was a key commodity in the transatlantic trade of medicinal substances. As Europeans sought to expand their knowledge and control over natural resources, the appropriation of indigenous knowledge became a tool of domination. This image invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in scientific exploration, and prompts questions about who benefits from the commodification of natural remedies, as well as, the legacy of colonialism and its impact on global health. The image is a stark reminder of the ways in which scientific progress can be intertwined with exploitation and inequality.