Apparaat om karkassen te fotograferen before 1897

This is a page from an unidentified book, showing an apparatus to photograph cadavers, made at an unknown date by the Société Anonyme des Arts Graphiques. Consider the image as a product of its time, likely produced during the late 19th century when photography was rapidly developing. The device reflects a specific need – the documentation of bodies – and a certain macabre sensibility, far from our common view of photography today. The diagram illustrates a device made of wood and metal, materials associated with industrialization and emerging scientific practices. Think about the labor involved in creating such a device: the cutting and joining of wood, the forging of metal components. These processes are imbued with social significance, reflecting the era’s focus on scientific precision and categorization. The choice of these materials and the method of production are critical to understanding the object’s purpose and context. It challenges our traditional distinctions between art and utility, revealing a fascinating intersection of craft, science, and social need.