Exposição

CMMOS

Porto

Legenda de Imagem

The WOMENPHOT.PT research project aims to contribute to visual and gender studies by analysing the practice of women photographers in Portugal during the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century.

Despite the particular relation that women had with the photographic practice since its invention, their recognition by specialized historiography is recent. From the 1850s onward, both professional and amateur female photographers established their own studios, were hired for various technical tasks in photographic labs, or used photography as a tool for self-representation.

In the last decade, in line with the international panorama, Portuguese historiography has also started to reassess the role of women in photographic practices during this period, analysing the contingencies that influenced their production. The main challenge in this survey lies in identifying and locating photographs that have survived time and verifying authorship. The dispersal of these photographs across various public and private archives has delayed comprehensive study and historiographic revision. Additionally, it poses a challenge for achieving national and international recognition and dissemination of their photographic work.

Addressing this issue, the project WOMENPHOT.PT, led by an experienced team, aims to document and bring visibility to the contributions and photographic production of women photographers in Portugal during the specified period. It focuses on two complementary lines of work. The first, to continue the ongoing survey of professional and amateur women photographers in Portugal, creating a database and subsequently publishing it on a publicly accessible digital platform. This database covers the identification and cataloguing of photographs in albums and periodicals, participation in national and international exhibitions, characterization of their professional activities, and public recognition by the critic of their time. It will also increase the engagement and understanding of this significant visual heritage, encouraging future research on the subject.

CURADORIA Curadoria 1