Patiënten lijdend aan de huidziekte 'lichen planus' before 1881

This is an image of patients suffering from the skin disease 'lichen planus,' made anonymously at an unknown date. It combines photography, a relatively new technology at the time, with medical observation. The photographs show the skin’s surface with great clarity, emphasizing texture and tone. The clinical approach, using stark lighting and close cropping, brings the disease into sharp focus. It’s interesting to consider the social context: photography was becoming more accessible, yet medical knowledge was still largely confined to specialists. Images like these played a crucial role in disseminating information, bridging the gap between research and practice. The image also underscores the labor involved in medical documentation. From taking the photographs to printing them and compiling the book, the process involves various skilled workers. By examining the intersection of medical knowledge, photographic technology, and labor, this image challenges traditional distinctions between art, science, and craft.