Gezicht op de cavalerie van het leger van de onderkoning, Gezicht op de landmacht van de onderkoning en twee gezichten op de artillerie-eenheid van het leger van de onderkoning before 1897

This is an image of the Viceroy’s army, cavalry, infantry and artillery unit, made by the Imprimerie des Lazaristes. Without a specific date for this work, it’s difficult to tie it to a precise historical moment, but we can still explore its broader cultural implications. It likely comes from a period of European colonialism, when many such images were produced to document and celebrate imperial power. This image serves as a form of visual propaganda. It presents an ordered and disciplined view of military forces. But what is absent? The local population. Indigenous people are notably missing from the frame, reinforcing a narrative of colonial dominance. Instead, the local landscape becomes a backdrop for European military prowess. It’s a stark reminder of how images can be used to erase and control narratives. Consider the emotional impact this image might have had on both colonizers and the colonized. It is more than just a picture. It’s a statement of power.