Microscoopopname van bederfbacteriën before 1885

This is a microscopic image of bacteria by Gustav Hauser, reproduced as a lithograph around the turn of the century, in Germany. The image asks us to consider the social conditions of scientific progress. The late 19th century was a time of great advancement in microbiology, with scientists identifying and classifying various types of bacteria. This image reflects that institutional drive to categorize the microbial world, which had implications for public health and sanitation. But it’s also a product of a particular technology, with its own visual language. The stark contrast and circular frame echo the lens of the microscope itself. By reproducing the image as a lithograph, Hauser makes this view accessible, inviting a wider audience to participate in this new understanding of the world. To truly understand this image, we might consult scientific publications of the time, as well as histories of medicine and public health. In doing so, we can better appreciate how scientific imagery both reflects and shapes our understanding of the world around us.