This well-designed publication features new photographs by London-based artist Bettina von Zwehl (b.1971 in Munich). Following her graduation from the Royal College of Art in 1999, von Zwehl has completed high-profile residencies and had solo exhibitions at museums around the world, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, Freud Museum, Holburne Museum, and the New York Historical Society Museum. During a residency in Oxford, von Zwehl researched the Ashmolean’s founding collections and the many narratives embedded within the historical objects. This served as inspiration for a unique Wunderkammer book and exhibition that seamlessly transition between still-life, portraiture, monumental and miniature elements, as well as non-art objects and specimens from natural history collections. The artist's aim is to rekindle wonder and curiosity as critical tools for exploring new ideas and unique practices, expanding the boundaries of the photographic medium.

Lena Fritsch is the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Ashmolean, responsible for exhibitions, displays and acquisitions of international art. She teaches at the University of Oxford, V&A and SOAS. Previously, she was a curator at Tate Modern, London and Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin. Recent publications include Ashmolean NOW: Pio Abad (Ashmolean, 2023), Ashmolean NOW: Flora Yukhnovich x Daniel Crews-Chubb (Ashmolean, 2022), Tokyo: Art & Photography (Ashmolean, 2021), A.R. Penck: I Think in Pictures (Ashmolean, 2019), Ravens & Red Lipstick: Japanese Photography since 1945 (Thames & Hudson/Seigensha, 2018 and 2024) and Giacometti (Tate Publishing, 2017). She holds a PhD from Bonn University and also studied at Keio University, Tokyo.