The Forest as Cliche: Otherness, Progress, and Internal Frontiers in Early Photography from the Amazon

Abstract

This paper examines the role of early photography in Peru, particularly its use as a tool of exploration and documentation of the Amazon region during the late 19th century. It highlights how photography evolved from a luxury for the affluent to a vital component of scientific and visual representation, contributing to the state's efforts in classification and measurement of 'otherness.' The study addresses the implications of photographic technologies in shaping perceptions of the Amazon and their association with colonial and imperial narratives, ultimately suggesting a critical re-evaluation of the photographic legacy in understanding cultural and environmental interactions within this complex territory.