The modern and the obsolete in Arte Photographica

Abstract

The magazine “A Arte Photographica” totaled 23 numbers published in the years of 1884 and 1885, in Porto, Portugal. As the name says, the theme was photography and, mainly, the photographic technique, common fact in the publication of that epoch focused on the professional and amateur photographer. It was said a magazine for amateurs and announced the photography as a modern event. The idea of the modern was shared in many regular publications in the nineteenth century and early 20th century. The text analyzes in this magazine, despite it has had brief duration, became a reference of Portuguese photography, as the statement of modern was constituted firmed in the advance of the technical and, consequently, the postulate of obsolescence. Relates the importance memorial with the subliminal function: affirm the society which refers as modern while able to be technical. Finally, notes the role of photography in the scope of this idea.