Gezicht op de haven en het arsenaal van Rio de Janeiro 1890 - 1910

Marc Ferrez made this photograph of the harbor and arsenal of Rio de Janeiro using an albumen print. This image encapsulates the late 19th-century ambition and anxieties of Brazil. Ferrez, a key figure in Brazilian photography, presents a panoramic view that emphasizes modernization and order. Yet, this progress came at a social cost, built as it was on the backs of enslaved and recently freed peoples. Consider the placement of the arsenal: a symbol of national power and industrial advancement. Its prominence in the frame speaks to Brazil's aspirations on the world stage. The bustling harbor, filled with ships, signifies Brazil’s growing integration into global trade networks. Yet these advances often masked deep inequalities. As historians, we examine such images alongside economic reports, travelogues, and personal accounts to unpack the complex layers of meaning embedded within them. This photograph isn't just a snapshot of a place; it's a window into a society grappling with transformation.