Costumes of Michaelenses, Azores, Portugal (barefoot man with beard wearing hat, facing front, basket of fruit in right hand, holding sack slung over shoulders with left) c. 1880s

Curator: This mounted albumen print, titled "Costumes of Michaelenses, Azores, Portugal", captures a barefoot man with a basket of fruit, by A.J. Rapozo. Editor: The sepia tones evoke a bygone era. The composition, with the subject centrally framed, offers a stark sense of his labor. Curator: Indeed. Consider the subject's attire, which signifies regional identity and perhaps even a socio-economic class. The sack, the basket overflowing with fruit - symbols of sustenance. Editor: The texture of the woven hat against the roughspun fabric of his sacks provides a compelling visual contrast. Curator: It also calls to mind questions of representation and the photographer’s role in shaping perceptions of culture. Editor: An image frozen in time, imbued with the texture of daily life. Curator: A study in light and shadow, revealing so much. Editor: A poignant glimpse into another world.