Portret van een (vermoedelijk) Italiaanse zoeaaf, staand Possibly 1861 - 1866

Curator: This striking image is titled “Portret van een (vermoedelijk) Italiaanse zoeaaf, staand” – “Portrait of a (Presumed) Italian Zouave, Standing”. It was taken sometime between 1861 and 1866 by Fratelli d' Alessandri. Editor: My first impression is how… stiff he appears. But there's something very intriguing in the materiality of this image, a play with soft focus that enhances details, like the stitching in his jacket or the tasseled sword. What were Zouaves doing in Italy then? Curator: The Zouaves were originally a unit of the French army, but other countries adopted the uniform and the concept. It’s fascinating, really, this man posing in what is essentially a readymade military identity. The image underscores the way national identities were being crafted and performed. Editor: Crafted is the right word. Look at how precise the photography is; it clearly seeks to emulate painting, even to mimic classical composition. It makes me wonder about the work that went into his uniform and his reasons to buy such photo from Fratelli d' Alessandri. Was he fighting for the Papal States? What motivated the production and the demand of these photographs? Curator: Yes, he most likely fought for the Papal States. It is known that many joined the Papal Zouaves who answered the Pope's call. His studio portrait served as both personal memento and propaganda. What it signals about the cultural significance of this moment of Italian unification cannot be understated. Editor: Agreed, it's a collision of cultural symbols. But getting back to craft, think about the photographer's labor. It must've been such an involving activity setting the subject up, ensuring everything was aligned, the light just so… The materiality really embodies its historical moment. Curator: Ultimately, this is not merely a snapshot of a man, but a visual condensation of the complex interplay of faith, identity, and military conflict within a specific historical juncture. Editor: I will certainly think about photography in terms of the global supply chain from now. There's also a beauty in the detail that goes far beyond capturing mere likeness. Thank you!