These incredible animal images examine two centuries of photography’s complex relationship with the natural world, from pet portraits to stunning wildlife shots

Photography of animals has been a part of the art form since its inception, with the earliest known photo of a living animal being a cow captured by French photographer Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey in 1842. The new exhibition titled 'Modèle animal' held at Rencontres de la Photographie, Arles, delves into the intricate relationship between photography and animals over the past two centuries.

The exhibition features over 500 photographs from 220 artists, showcasing how animals have been subjects for various purposes and how this has shaped our perceptions of the natural world.

The exhibition includes works by renowned photographers such as Elliott Erwitt and Martin Parr, who capture the omnipresence of domestic animals in urban settings. Rinko Kawauchi's delicate and radiant images feature native Japanese fauna like deer, while Pieter Hugo's powerful portraits depict the 'Hyena Men' of Nigeria, who perform death-defying acts with hyenas to sell potions and tonics.

The exhibition also explores photography's role in practices that exploit animals, such as circus performance, with Pieter Hugo's striking images of the 'Hyena Men' creating a sense of discomfort in viewers. The impact of photography extends to modern times, where the internet has transformed our relationship with animals through the sharing of images on social media, often in the form of memes.

Despite the anonymity of many photographers, animal images continue to capture people's attention and play a significant role in scientific advancements, from macro and micro photography to Edward Muybridge's chronophotography and advanced techniques like X-ray photography.