Vergroting van een opgezwollen klier in een stuk kronkeldarm before 1879

This is a microscopic photograph by Joseph Janvier Woodward, titled "Vergroting van een opgezwollen klier in een stuk kronkeldarm," that translates to "Enlargement of a swollen gland in a piece of ileum." The image presents a perpendicular section of the ileum, magnified to reveal an enlarged solitary gland. The composition is structured in layers, progressing from the dense, detailed tissue at the base to the swollen gland at the top, set against a plain background. This organization invites us to trace the textures and forms within the tissue, noting how the swelling disrupts the usual order of the anatomy. Woodward's photograph bridges scientific observation with artistic representation. It challenges our perception by turning the microscopic into the monumental. This transformation alters the way we think about scale, inviting contemplation on the invisible processes within us. The dark tonality enhances the depth and complexity of the tissue, emphasizing the aesthetic dimensions of scientific imaging.