“Stop to examine these three small, formally posed portraits from 1867, captured with the delicate detail of an albumen silver print. They offer a direct, intimate look at individuals from a pivotal moment in Mexican history.”
This striking albumen silver print presents three small, oval portraits, each framed with delicate precision. The figures, likely men, are captured in formal poses, their expressions stoic, a common convention for photography in the late 19th century. The albumen print process, popular at the time, lends a subtle warmth and a rich tonal range to the images, allowing for fine detail in their clothing and facial features despite the small scale. Created in 1867, the same year as many other photographs by Noriega documenting the dramatic events surrounding the execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, these portraits may offer a glimpse into the individuals connected to that tumultuous period. The arrangement of three distinct portraits within a single print suggests a deliberate grouping, perhaps of allies, officials, or even family members, inviting speculation about their relationships and roles.
- Artist
- Noriega
- Date
- 1867
- Medium
- Albumen silver print from glass negative
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- Image (Left, oval): 5.5 × 4 cm (2 3/16 × 1 9/16 in.)
- Collection
- Photographs
- Credit line
- Gilman Collection, Museum Purchase, 2005
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
![[Three Portraits]](https://images.artwhisper.app/artworks/dd9820b7-89e6-4f7e-934d-23fe7024760d/dc8663cb-c104-4fc7-82b7-decbe8b652fe_sm.jpg)
Observe the subtle sepia tone, characteristic of albumen prints.
Notice the precise oval framing of each individual portrait.
Look closely at the details in the men's attire, suggesting formal dress.
See how the light subtly illuminates their faces, creating depth.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through [Three Portraits] — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Noriega
Susana Noriega is a Mexican painter, one of several notable individuals sharing the Noriega surname.
Further Works by Noriega
Simon Vouet
1630 · Art Institute of Chicago
[Baron von Magnus, autograph of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, Dr. Bosch]
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Convent in La Cruz]
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Death Scene]
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Emperor Maximilian's Death Carriage]
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[General Tomas Mejia, Emperor Maximilian, General Misamon]
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Gran Teatro de Iturbide]
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
[Place of imprisonment for Emperor Maxmilian of Mexico and soldiers]
1867 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Noriega: works from the same years.
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Barks Fleeing Before the Storm
Léon-Victor Dupré · 1870 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Backgammon Players
Philip Webb · 1861 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Paris Street; Rainy Day
Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Approaching Storm
William Hart · 1867 · Gilcrease Museum
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Beach at Sainte-Adresse
Claude Monet · 1867 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
In the Auvergne
Jean-François Millet · 1866 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Patio of the Palace of the Duke of Alba, Seville: Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta painting
Mariano Fortuny Marsal · 1868 · Hispanic Society of America
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Banks of the Marne in Winter
Camille Pissarro · 1866 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Races at Longchamp
Édouard Manet · 1866 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
The Valley of Les Puits-Noir
Gustave Courbet · 1868 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1850s–1880s
A Woman Seated beside a Vase of Flowers (Madame Paul Valpinçon?)
Edgar Degas · 1865 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1850s–1880s
Mountain View at Bormio (from Switzerland 1869 Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent · 1869 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
![[Three Portraits] by Noriega](https://images.artwhisper.app/artworks/dd9820b7-89e6-4f7e-934d-23fe7024760d/dc8663cb-c104-4fc7-82b7-decbe8b652fe_lg.jpg)