Portret van een onbekende man 1860 - 1865

Eugenio Maunoury created this portrait of an unknown man in Lima, likely in the late 19th century. It's a carte-de-visite, a small photograph mounted on card stock, popular during that time. This portrait speaks volumes about status and identity. The man is formally dressed, wearing a sash and medal, leaning on a table with books. These elements suggest he’s part of the political or intellectual elite. The photograph raises questions: Who was this man, and what role did he play in the society of Lima? As an artist, Maunoury invites us to consider not just the individual, but also the social structures and hierarchies that shaped his identity. What does it mean to be remembered in this way, posed for posterity in a carefully constructed image? The photograph serves as a looking glass into a specific time, inviting reflection on the construction of identity and power.