Gezicht op de Triunfo de San Rafael in Córdoba 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu made this stereoscopic photograph of the Triumph of San Rafael in Córdoba sometime in the mid-19th century. During this period, photography became a powerful tool, not just for documentation, but also for shaping perceptions of cultural identity. Andrieu's photograph captures a monument dedicated to the archangel Raphael, a figure synonymous with healing and protection. In Córdoba, a city marked by a history of religious and cultural exchange, this monument stands as a testament to a specific religious identity, erected during a period of Christian dominance. What stories do monuments like this tell? Whose histories do they foreground, and whose do they obscure? Consider how the photograph's composition—the way it frames the monument against the backdrop of the city—contributes to its meaning. Photography in the 19th century often served to reinforce colonial narratives and hierarchies. Andrieu's work invites us to reflect on the intersections of faith, power, and representation.