Costumes of Michaelenses, Azores, Portugal (barefoot man with moustache wearing large hat, holding rake, wicker basket on floor to right) c. 1880s

Curator: I find this photograph, "Costumes of Michaelenses, Azores, Portugal," by A.J. Rapozo, utterly charming. There's a gentle humor in it. Editor: It's more than just charm for me. Look at this man—barefoot, holding his rake, that oversized hat. It speaks to the labor and identity of Azorean agricultural workers. Curator: Exactly! He seems to be saying, “Yes, this is me, this is what I do," but with a twinkle in his eye. The hat is almost comically large. Editor: The ‘costume,’ as the title suggests, isn't just clothing; it's a performance of self, deeply connected to the land and social expectations. Curator: It's a tender moment. It captures a life lived, not just a picture taken, right? Editor: Precisely. Rapozo documents, but also invites us to consider the complex interplay of labor, dress, and representation. Curator: I will definitely be pondering on this image later! Editor: Me too. It's far more layered than a simple ethnographic study.