At 5 a.m. on February 1, 2008, fire swept through Deyrolle, the celebrated historic entomology and taxidermy shop in central Paris. Collections of rare butterflies, insects, mounted animals and minerals accumulated since 1831 went up in smoke, along with the memories of generations of schoolchildren, dreamers and enthusiasts enchanted by their still beauty.
 
 
 
Stuffed, mounted and classified specimens were singed at best and reduced to ash at worst. What humanity and science had removed from the natural cycle of life and death and fixed for our wonder was partly returned to its original fate: the fading and disappearance awaiting every creature. Time had been suspended; nature reclaimed its rights.
 
 
 
Martin d'Orgeval photographed surviving animals and insects in place, against charred woodwork in the shop that had housed them since their “natural” deaths. Objects and setting form a complete work, the result of a strange, singular sequence of creation, preservation and destruction, completed and closed by photography.