[Prison, Capuchin Convent]

This albumen silver print, titled "Prison, Capuchin Convent," was captured by Noriega in 1867. It's part of a significant series of photographs by the artist from that year, all focusing on pivotal moments and locations related to the turbulent final days of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection alone holds eleven works by Noriega from 1867, including images of the Gran Teatro de Iturbide, Maximilian's place of imprisonment, and the site of his execution. This particular photograph, depicting the Capuchin Convent, likely served as a stark record of the emperor's confinement, offering a window into the grim reality of his final days. While details about Noriega himself are scarce beyond these historical photographs, the consistency of his subject matter and medium in 1867 suggests he was a dedicated chronicler of these dramatic events, possibly working as a photojournalist or official photographer during a critical period in Mexican history. The precise, documentary nature of these albumen prints underscores their historical value, preserving the visual narrative of a fallen empire.