Visiting Cards in Peru

The "carte de visite" (visiting card) was a photographic format that originated in France in 1854 and gained global popularity from 1860.  These were small portraits (6x9 cm) exchanged among family and friends much like a modern-day business

The "visiting card” was introduced to Peru by Félix Carbillet in 1859 and was widely received for 17 years. In this period, the large photographic studios were successful because the society in Lima enjoyed the prosperity of the “guano era” and their services were in demand.

Other photographers with prominence were from the United States of America. One of them was Richardson. This visiting card shows a “Siamese” portrait (the same person twice in the same shot), of an unidentified person, (ca 1866).

They used props and scenery in their studios, such as balustrades, curtains, columns, and pedestals. (A closer look at the elements). At the start of the war with Chile, many photographers left. Only Courret remained until 1902, and in Arequipa, the studio of Carlos Heldt.

These cards captured portraits of people who lived during the era of guano prosperity, a period marked by the extravagance of politicians and those in power. In them, we observe, for example, families, professionals, clergymen, the fashion of the time, among other elements.

Photograph of the Italian-Peruvian researcher, naturalist and explorer. The photography is from the Negretti studio, also Italian, which assumed management of Garreaud's studio when he left Peru.