Gezicht op het huis en fotoatelier van Carlos Relvas in Golegã before 1879

This is Carlos Relvas’s photographic print of his house and studio in Golegã. Born in Portugal in 1838, Relvas was a landowner and parliamentarian, and he dedicated himself to photography in the mid-1870s. Relvas's work gives us an entry point into understanding the social and cultural context of 19th-century Portugal. In his work, the intersection of class, identity, and artistic expression is evident. Photography was still a relatively new medium. Relvas’s choice to photograph his own property reflects the self-assuredness and privilege of the landed gentry. Consider the architecture in the photo. The building's design blends European and possibly other influences, reflective of Portugal's global reach as a colonial power. The lush surroundings speak to the wealth generated from colonial resources and trade, an era marked by the exploitation of distant lands and people. Relvas's photographs, while seemingly personal, also offer a glimpse into the complex relationship between personal identity, national pride, and colonial history.