[Studio Portrait: Person Wearing White Robe and Face Covering Hood, Naples] 1860s - 1870s

This studio portrait of a person in a white robe and hood was taken in Naples by Giorgio Conrad, though the date is unknown. The sitter's identity is obscured by their costume. They wear a pointed hood that covers their face, and a white robe cinched at the waist by a fan-like object. This photograph raises many questions about identity and representation. The anonymity provided by the costume could signify a desire for privacy or a commentary on social roles. During the 19th century, photography became a popular medium for capturing and constructing identities. The sitter’s attire may be related to religious or cultural traditions specific to Naples, which have a rich history of processions and rituals. Consider how the image plays with concealment and revelation, inviting us to contemplate the complex relationship between appearance and identity. How does the photograph blur the lines between the individual and the collective?