Opgezette laplanduilen 1871 - 1876

This is a photograph titled "Opgezette laplanduilen" (Stuffed Lapland Owls) made by William Notman. During the Victorian era, taxidermy emerged not only as a scientific tool but also as a form of artistic expression. Notman's choice to photograph taxidermied owls speaks volumes about the era's complex relationship with nature. On one hand, there's a fascination with the natural world, an attempt to capture and preserve its beauty. Yet, on the other, there's an undeniable element of control. The act of stuffing and displaying these owls transforms them into objects of curiosity, devoid of their natural habitat and behaviors. It prompts us to reflect on how we perceive and interact with the animal kingdom, and the ethical implications of imposing our will upon it. What does it mean to take a wild creature and turn it into a static display? The owls become stand-ins for larger ideas about life, death, and our place within the natural order.