Portret van Francisco Xavier Craveiro Lopes before 1878

This photographic print of Francisco Xavier Craveiro Lopes was made in Lisbon on November 14, 1878, by Damião da Graça. The visual language here reflects the rise of industrialization and mass production. Photography itself, of course, was becoming increasingly democratized at this time, and here it is further contextualized within a printed format. The photograph is mounted on a larger sheet, embellished with ornate typography and decorative elements. Consider the labor involved: the photographer, the printers, the distributors. This was a reproducible image, made available for popular consumption – notice the subscription information at the bottom left. It's a far cry from the unique, hand-crafted portraits of previous eras. The subject, dressed in his finest military regalia, signifies power and authority, but the image itself speaks to a changing social and economic landscape. This object reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are embedded in complex systems of production, labor, and consumption. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the material conditions that shape our visual world.