Twee portretten van Lars Nilsen Hotti 1870 - 1880

Here we have "Two Portraits of Lars Nilsen Hotti" by Paolo Mantegazza. These photographs, bound in an anthropological study, reflect the 19th-century scientific interest in categorizing human races. Mantegazza, an Italian physician and anthropologist, approached his subjects through the lens of scientific inquiry, influenced by evolutionary theories and the prevailing European fascination with physiognomy. The portraits of Lars Nilsen Hotti invite us to consider how identity is constructed, especially when intertwined with the politics of representation. As a member of the Sámi community, Hotti's image becomes part of a complex narrative about ethnicity, cultural difference, and the gaze of the colonizer. The photographs, with their seemingly objective framing, subtly reveal the power dynamics inherent in the act of documentation. They prompt questions about agency, cultural preservation, and the responsibility of the artist in portraying individuals from marginalized communities. How might we re-evaluate these images to afford Hotti the dignity and recognition he deserves?