Vergroting van de vorming van zweren in holtes in een stuk dikke darm en ontsteking van de onderlaag before 1879

This image, crafted by Joseph Janvier Woodward, presents a microscopic view of a colon section, revealing the formation of ulcers. The dark cavities set against the inflamed tissue evoke the symbol of the abyss, a motif deeply embedded in the human psyche. Consider the memento mori tradition, where skulls and decaying objects remind us of mortality. Here, these ulcers serve a similar purpose, manifesting not as abstract symbols, but as stark biological realities. The image echoes the cyclical nature of life and death, a pattern seen throughout art history, from classical vanitas paintings to contemporary works exploring decay and regeneration. In the collective unconscious, darkness often represents the unknown, a space of fear and transformation. The ulcers, as dark voids within the body, tap into this primal fear. They are both repulsive and fascinating, engaging our subconscious on a profound level. This symbolic representation is a non-linear progression, constantly resurfacing in different contexts.