WomenPhot.PT

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.

The second line aims to analyse and exhibit the photographic work of a specific selection of photographers in two museums—the Museu do Porto and the Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea-Chiado. The project highlights the exhibition format as a means to study and conserve photographic material, unveiling the unreleased work of three Portuguese photographers—Maria C. L. Magalhães, Margarida Relvas, and Mariana Relvas.

In addition to showcasing photographs, the exhibition documents their participation in national and international exhibitions and collaborations in albums and periodicals of their time. It also allows direct engagement with the audience, fostering an understanding of the historical and cultural importance of their photographic work and contributing to a broader narrative of the socio-political and cultural context of the 19th and 20th centuries in Portugal.

The archival research, which is already underway, aims to identify photographs and other documentation on the work of women photographers, initiate preservation efforts and organize a public exhibition of their images for greater visibility and study. It also aims to carry out a comparative analysis of their experiences with the international context during the same period, identifying similarities, differences and potential influences. The proposal to organize an international congress will expand the discussion and outcomes of the project, fostering dialogue with similar initiatives in other countries.

The research will be conducted by consulting and accessing collections in institutions such as the Arquivo Histórico da Casa dos Patudos, Casa Estúdio Carlos Relvas, Biblioteca Nacional, Centro Português de Fotografia, and the Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea – Chiado, among others. Private collections have also been identified and contacted, covering the majority of existing material (photographs and documents) on the subject under study.

In summary, WOMENPHOT.PT aims to recognize lesser-known or forgotten authors in the history of photography, rethinking narratives that contextualize their central role in breaking male hegemony within the profession and contributing to women’s emancipation in the society of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The research will deepen their thematic and artistic choices, examining their perspectives and contributions not only to photographic practice in Portugal but also to the influence they had on professional structures, gender norms, and the social sphere itself. In this sense, it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, specifically SDG 5: Gender Equality, by providing historical context, challenging stereotypes, promoting diversity, fostering dialogue, and advocating for supportive policies.