Microscoopopname van de buitenste laag van tarwe before 1892

Robert W. Dunham made this photomicrograph of the outer layer of wheat, presenting it within the pages of a book. At the time this image was produced, advances in science and technology allowed for the microscopic examination of natural forms, thus changing people's perceptions of the world. The image invites us to consider the essential yet often overlooked elements that sustain society. Wheat as a global commodity, intersects with issues of trade, agriculture, and food security. The exploration of microscopic structures dissolves traditional ways of seeing, opening up new perspectives on something as simple as a grain of wheat. This close examination mirrors a deeper inquiry into the systems of power, labor, and consumption that shape our world. By magnifying the minute, Dunham directs our attention to the underlying structures that support human life, prompting us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world.