Portaal van de Kathedraal van Malaga 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu captured this stereo card image of the Portaal van de Kathedraal van Malaga, a photographic marvel of the mid-19th century. It was a time when Europe was grappling with profound social and political shifts, including the rise of industrialization. Andrieu’s lens offers us a glimpse into the cultural and architectural ambitions of the era. As we observe the photograph, let’s consider the concept of visibility and representation. Who had the power to represent and who was being represented? Did the subjects have any agency? This image reflects and reinforces the prevailing hierarchies of the time. The grandeur of the cathedral contrasts sharply with the lives of ordinary people. Andrieu’s image beckons us to reflect on the complex interplay between faith, power, and representation. It reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum but is deeply embedded in the social, political, and cultural contexts of its time.