Gezicht op de maan before 1898

Loewy and Puiseux created this photographic print of the moon as part of an atlas of the moon. The photographic process, though scientific in nature, is also deeply material. Light, time, and chemistry are all harnessed to create an image. The moon, an object that has captured the human imagination since the dawn of time, is here made tangible through the relatively new technology of photography. This image, achieved through meticulous work in the Paris Observatory, captures the moon's stark beauty and invites us to consider the intersection of art, science, and human endeavor. This photograph exists at the intersection of science and art, demonstrating how the pursuit of knowledge can lead to unexpected aesthetic achievements. By challenging the distinctions between scientific documentation and artistic expression, we gain a richer appreciation for the full scope of human creativity.