Portretten van vier leden van het Lagerhuis van de staat New York before 1882

This undated print presents portraits of four members of the New York State Assembly. The images, arranged in a grid, capture the likenesses of individuals who were part of the state's political structure, at a time when power was largely concentrated in the hands of white men. Though anonymous, the artist offers us a glimpse into the faces that shaped policy and legislation. In their portraits we see class and status visibly marked on their faces: well-groomed beards, formal suits, and confident gazes. The portraits also raise questions about representation and exclusion in the political sphere. Who is present and who is conspicuously absent? Whose stories are being told and whose are being ignored? As you consider these portraits, reflect on the ongoing dialogue around representation, power, and the complexities of history. They remind us that every image is embedded in a web of social relations.