We just acquired a very interesting album of just ten prints that is the perfect follow up to our last post, as it includes one photograph featured in the collection of the comte de Germigny. All the prints are approximately of the same size, and obviously from the same photographer.
River crossing at poso del Marcho. The other prints of this image in our collection are titled “paseo del Diablo”
Luckily, the ex libris of the baron d’Huart is pasted on the first page of the album.
Ex libris of the baron d’Huart
But here’s the rub. TWO barons d’Huart participated in the Campagne du Mexique.
Arguably the most famous is Frédéric d’Huart, aide de camp of the count of Flanders. Frédéric was send to Mexico in January 1866 from Bruxelles to officially notify the empress Charlotte of the death of her father Leopold. On his way back from Mexico City to Vera Cruz, in march 1866, Frederic was killed by the Mexican guerilla. It is unlikely that he had time, on such a short and rushed stay, to gather photographic prints, even less to photograph himself.
We found a trace of the other d’Huart in the archives of the Commission Scientifique du Mexique (again…).
Charles d’Huart, a distant cousin of Frédéric, is from the French branch of the Huart family. Born in 1823 in the castle of Bélange, in eastern France, he graduates from école Polytechnique in 1846. In 1864, he is mentioned as a “capitaine d’artillerie” and a member of the Commission du Mexique, section 1, Zoology and Botany. In November 1867 he receives the medal of the order of Guadalupe. He is killed in 1870 during the siege of Strasbourg. He is probably the former owner of our album – and quite probably the photographer. We will soon check his records in the archive of the French army to learn more about this new name in the history of Mexican photography.
Vera Cruz, view from the sea
Vera Cruz, view of the beach and the pier.
Vera Cruz, the hospital
Soledad fort (?)
The gorge of the Soledad river
The road from Vera Cruz to Mexico city
The Gallifet mentioned in the caption is certainly Gaston de Gallifet, a colorful character who will later be Minister of War. (cf en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_Alexandre_Auguste,_Marquis_de_Galliffet)
Oak tree in Medellin, near Vera Cruz
An hacienda, near Medellin
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Early Latin American Photography 