Nubia, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

Editor: This is "Nubia, from the Races of Mankind series," created around 1881 by Abdul Cigarettes. It's a drawing or print, and it really stands out with its strong portrait style. What do you see in this piece, considering its title and origin? Curator: This image, while seemingly a straightforward portrait, pulses with the complexities of its time. The series title, "Races of Mankind," immediately flags it as a product of 19th-century ethnology, a pseudoscientific endeavor steeped in categorization and, often, implicit hierarchies. The subject's attire – the fez, the carefully rendered details of his garments – are all freighted with meaning. Ask yourself, what cultural narratives are being reinforced, or perhaps subtly challenged, through the specific visual choices? How does this "portrait" function within a broader project of defining and classifying human difference? Editor: So, it’s more than just a depiction of a person, it’s a statement. The details almost feel… curated, for a particular purpose. Curator: Precisely. Consider the choice of the name "Nubia" itself, an ancient region with rich cultural significance. What does it mean to present this individual not just as a person, but as an embodiment of a place, a history? And what assumptions might be embedded in that act of representation? Remember, images aren't neutral; they actively participate in the construction of identity and knowledge. Editor: That’s given me a lot to think about; I'll definitely look at portraiture differently from now on. Curator: And that deeper awareness of visual language, in turn, sharpens your perception of the world around us.