Hoektand en onderkaak van een katachtige before 1869

This is a photographic print, made at an unknown date by an anonymous artist, depicting the tooth and jawbone of a feline. These natural materials—bone and tooth—possess inherent strength and durability, reflecting the animal's position in the food chain. The photograph itself is also a material object, created through a chemical process of light exposure and development. The tones, textures, and details captured in this print, serve as a record of the specimen, and the tools used to prepare it. The significance lies in how it bridges the natural world with human inquiry. The act of photographing and documenting these remains speaks to a broader cultural impulse to classify, understand, and ultimately control nature. It allows for mass dissemination of knowledge, turning a unique specimen into a widely accessible image. Considering materials and the making process, we recognize the layers of human intervention—from discovery and preparation of the specimen, to its photographic reproduction and distribution, revealing a story about our evolving relationship with the natural world.