Portret van Alfons d'Albuquerque 1775 - 1834

Konrad Westermayr created this print of Afonso de Albuquerque in the late 18th or early 19th century. Westermayr, working in a time of shifting European identities and colonial ambitions, presents us with a vision of a historical figure deeply entangled with Portugal’s colonial past. Afonso de Albuquerque, a 16th-century Portuguese general, stands as a symbol of European expansion into the East. The portrait, with its meticulous detail, invites us to consider the layers of power, race, and cultural exchange that define this history. Westermayr’s print appears to frame Albuquerque as a figure of authority and respect, reflecting the European perspective on colonial endeavors. Yet, looking at this portrait today, we might question the narratives it perpetuates. Whose stories are being told, and whose are being left out? This image compels us to reflect on the complex legacies of colonialism. How might we reinterpret figures like Albuquerque, acknowledging the diverse perspectives and experiences shaped by his actions?