Portret van Miguel Gutiérrez de la Cuesta 1860 - 1900

This is a hand-colored photograph of Miguel Gutiérrez de la Cuesta, an intriguing artifact produced by an anonymous photographer. The man’s confident, relaxed pose, combined with the cane, gloves, and patterned trousers, speak to a certain level of economic comfort and social standing. Likely made in the mid-19th century, this image presents a fascinating window into the social structures of the time. The very act of commissioning a portrait suggests a desire for self-representation within a specific social milieu. We might ask, what was the function of photographic portraiture in this period? Was it primarily a tool for preserving family legacies, or did it also serve as a form of social currency? Understanding the cultural context of this image requires us to consider the rise of photography as a developing technology and a means of communication. Historical archives, social registers, and studies of material culture can offer more insight. By situating the image within its complex web of social and institutional relationships, we can grasp its meaning more fully.