Portret van Peter II van Brazilië before 1885

This printed portrait of Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, presents an intriguing insight into the construction of imperial authority. Images like these circulated widely in the late 19th century as Brazil sought to define its national identity and place on the world stage. The choice of medium is significant: print culture allowed for mass dissemination and the shaping of public opinion. Consider how the visual codes of European monarchy – the formal attire, the dignified pose – are deployed here to legitimize Brazilian rule. Yet, this is also a distinctly Brazilian image, reflecting the country's aspirations of progress and modernity, articulated through the language of European high culture. To fully understand this portrait, one might examine the illustrated press of the period, exhibition catalogs, and travel writing. All of this informs our understanding of Brazil's complex relationship with Europe and its own self-image.