Twee microscoopopnamen van cholera before 1885

Editor: Here we have “Twee microscoopopnamen van cholera,” which translates to "Two Microscopic Images of Cholera," made before 1885 by Émile van Ermengem, displayed as a print on paper. It’s stark, almost otherworldly. What’s your perspective on this, considering its historical context? Curator: It's striking how these early images tap into a deep-seated human fear of the unseen. We are drawn into what appears as a medieval conception of the plague, demons lurking unseen. These photographs weren’t merely scientific records; they became powerful symbols. Consider the circles—the petri dishes. Does that circular form carry a weight for you, connected as they are to cycles and to contagion? Editor: Yes, definitely. The circle does make me think of cycles. And the dark center in the second image, that looks like a void. Curator: Precisely! Early photography was often seen as a truthful medium, so an image like this, showcasing a deadly disease, would have had immense cultural and psychological weight. In our memory, these germs have become metaphors for invisible threats. Editor: So, even a seemingly objective scientific image can carry strong cultural connotations. I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Absolutely. It reflects the way scientific discoveries can become potent symbols, deeply intertwined with societal fears and understandings. Consider how the image might be re-interpreted during the recent COVID-19 pandemic? Editor: That's fascinating. It definitely gives me a new perspective on how images function within a broader cultural landscape. Curator: Indeed. The emotional charge hasn't vanished with the passage of time. The symbols only shifted to incorporate the changing human drama of life versus death.