Mannen onder een eik in Audubon Park in New Orleans c. 1880 - 1888

George François Mugnier made this albumen print called "Mannen onder een eik in Audubon Park in New Orleans". Although the exact date of the photograph is unknown, the print was most likely made in the late 19th or early 20th century. This image speaks to the social and cultural dynamics of the American South after the Civil War. The live oak, draped with Spanish moss, is an iconic symbol of the region, evoking a sense of history and place. Yet, the presence of well-dressed men in a public park also hints at the racial and class divisions that persisted despite the abolition of slavery. Public spaces like Audubon Park were often sites of both leisure and social negotiation, reflecting the ongoing power struggles of the time. To fully understand the image, one might consult local archives, historical maps, and period newspapers. Photographs like these are invaluable records of a time and are contingent on social and institutional contexts.