Fotoreproductie van een carte-de-visite van 'Torretta', Siciliaanse brigard, door Giuseppe Incorpora 1887 - 1888

Editor: So, here we have an interesting portrait! It's a photographic reproduction of a 'carte-de-visite', featuring "Torretta," a Sicilian brigand, captured between 1887 and 1888 by Giuseppe Incorpora. It’s presented in this lovely sepia tone that gives it such an old-world feel. The man's expression is very intriguing; a bit brooding, wouldn't you say? What's your take on this piece? Curator: Brooding is one way to put it! To me, there’s almost a touch of defiance, a 'don’t tread on me' kind of vibe. Given the subject matter - a brigand - and the time period, what do you think Incorpora was trying to convey? Editor: Well, photography at that time was often used to document people but also to create stereotypes. I’d guess it’s playing into that? Curator: Exactly. Consider this was a period of intense social and political upheaval in Sicily. Banditry wasn’t just about thievery; it was often linked to resistance against the authorities, or at least it was portrayed that way. And these carte-de-visites were like trading cards, sold and collected widely. Were they valorizing a rebel, or creating a cautionary tale? Perhaps both, feeding into a romantic, yet fearful image of the Sicilian brigand? The 'realism' tag is deceptive. This is a construct, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I see what you mean. The realism emphasizes this “truthful” image, but it's still carefully curated. It definitely reframes my view. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely. And for me, revisiting it, it’s a reminder that even supposedly 'objective' depictions are loaded with stories and agendas. It's about asking what isn’t said. Food for thought, huh?