Twee aanzichten van een menselijke schedel, vooraanzicht en achteraanzicht before 1869

This photograph of a human skull, showing front and back views, was made anonymously, probably in France, at an unknown date. Skulls have been potent symbols throughout history, reminding us of death and the passage of time. But the visual power of this image also resonates with the scientific and institutional contexts of its time. The plate comes from a book about prehistoric findings from the Seine valley, likely an archaeological or anthropological study. The image strives for scientific objectivity, yet it inevitably reflects cultural attitudes towards mortality and the body. The anonymous nature of the image speaks to the scientific aspirations of the project. To understand this image more fully, we might consult archives of scientific institutions, early anthropological studies, and histories of photography. In doing so, we can appreciate how the meaning of even the simplest image is deeply embedded in its historical context.