Photograph of Manuela Saenz.

In 1842 the photograph arrived to Peru. French photographers and from other nationalities arrived to the territory and over time they implemented photographic studios that marked and recorded the time. One of the most popular genres during the second half of the 19th century was that of the studio portrait. Although photography was a cheaper medium than painting for those who wanted to immortalize themselves in an image, not everyone could access it. Eventhough, photographers portrayed very diverse characters, mostly from the middle and upper classes, but also popular and indigenous workers, evidencing the cultural distances present in society.