Wargentin before 1873

This print of the lunar crater Wargentin was made by James Nasmyth, a Scottish engineer and amateur astronomer, sometime in the mid-19th century. But this isn't just any print – it's a photograph of a plaster model, carefully built by Nasmyth to resemble the moon's surface. Consider the labor involved. Nasmyth first observed the moon through his telescope, then meticulously translated his observations into a three-dimensional form using plaster, a humble material often associated with craft. Then, this model was photographed to create the illusion of a direct view of the moon. Nasmyth wasn't just interested in scientific accuracy; he was exploring the interplay between observation, material representation, and mechanical reproduction. In doing so, he blurred the lines between art, craft, and science. It invites us to consider how different forms of making can inform and enrich one another, challenging our traditional notions of artistic creation.