Gezicht op de apenkooi, de volière en een aquarium in Artis in Amsterdam 1860 - 1890

This albumen print of the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam was made by Andries Jager, sometime in the late 19th century. Photography, though not typically considered a craft, involves complex alchemical processes to transfer reality onto paper. The albumen print, popular at the time, required coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, then exposing it to light through a negative. This delicate, labor-intensive process often relied on skilled technicians, marking the intersection of art, science, and industry in the 19th century. The sepia tones and soft focus of the print lend a nostalgic air, hinting at a time of expanding global trade and colonial exploration that made such zoos possible. Yet, the photograph itself is a product of industrial chemistry, reflecting the intertwined relationship between artistic expression, scientific advancement, and the commodification of the natural world.