Abstract

MARTINEZ DELGADO, Gerardo. The illusion of a whole city. Panoramic photography in Mexico prior to 1910 and research in urban history. Cuicuilco. Rev. cienc. antropol. [online]. 2017, vol.24, n.68, pp.101-133. ISSN 2448-8488.

Although photography and cities have been close companions, there has been no tradition of the study of cities based on photographic evidence in the social sciences. It is true that in recent decades, history and other disciplines have provided legitimacy to the use of images as a valid research source, and important insights have been used from philosophy and art history so as to refine appropriate methodologies in accordance with their use. However, neither in studies of contemporary cities, nor in historical studies, is it common to see the use of images to question, argue, or interpret urban realities.

This paper explores the concept of the panorama -a form of representation widely disseminated as of the end of the 18th Century-, explains its adaptation to the photographic format and, through the analysis of a few exceptional testimonies registered in Mexico prior to 1910, it also reflects on the distance between the purpose of capturing a “totality” within an image and the possibilities for the researcher to interpret from them the nature, layout and shapes of cities. The paper also contributes to the abundant discussion, from a little-known format, on the photographic document and on the scientific status of truth that their creators pursued. Moreover, the methodological proposal for the use and advantages of the photographic medium is delved into within the field of social research, as is how to come to justifiable results regarding the study of urban history.

Keywords : Panoramic photo; panorama; urban history; history through images; history of photography; methodology in image analysis; urban imaginaries.

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