Mlle Sanlaville; Galland 1865

This album page featuring Mlle Sanlaville and Galland was produced as a series of photographs in France, around 1885 by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri. These photographs were compiled into an album and capture performers in costume. What we are seeing here are staged photographs of French performers appropriating “African” identities. We need to consider the history of colonialism to understand the dynamics at play. The French colonial empire was expanding into Africa during this period. These images participate in constructing a distorted view of African people, using “costumes” that flatten cultural differences into caricature. How do these images function in shaping perceptions of race, identity, and power? The gaze is directed through the lens of colonialism. The performance reduces complex identities to a superficial masquerade, reinforcing a narrative of dominance. It perpetuates stereotypes and embodies the power dynamics inherent in colonial relationships.