Expositie van Portugese objecten tijdens de wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen 1894

This photograph by Th. Lantin captures the Portuguese objects displayed at the world exhibition in Antwerp. The picture offers a glimpse into the colonial era, when world exhibitions served as platforms to showcase the economic, industrial, and cultural achievements of nations, often glossing over the realities of colonial exploitation. The “Section du Portugal” reflects Portugal’s efforts to present itself on the global stage, a country keen to assert its relevance amidst European imperial powers. The exhibition itself, with its displays of manufactured goods, crafts, and cultural artifacts, becomes a stage for constructing and performing national identity. However, what stories remain untold? Who is behind the objects? The image invites us to think critically about whose perspectives were privileged in these international displays and whose were marginalized or erased. It reminds us that the narrative of progress is always intertwined with histories of power, labor, and cultural exchange. The picture asks us to consider the human costs and cultural complexities that lie beneath the veneer of progress and national pride.