1913 Portrait of General Venustiano Carranza

This historical photograph features General Venustiano Carranza, a prominent Mexican revolutionary leader and politician, captured on November 4, 1913, by the Bain News Service. Carranza was a central figure in the Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910 as a response to the long-standing dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. His leadership was crucial in the struggle against authoritarianism and in the establishment of a constitutional republic in Mexico. The image reflects a pivotal moment in Carranzas political career, as he became the first President of Mexico following the revolution.

The photograph itself is a glass negative, a common medium used in early 20th-century photography. This technique involved a detailed process where a glass plate was coated with a light-sensitive emulsion. Captured images like this one provide valuable insights into the eras photographic practices and the key figures of the time. Carranzas leadership role in the revolutionary government led to significant reforms, including land redistribution and labor rights, which shaped modern Mexico. This image not only documents Carranzas appearance but also situates him within the broader narrative of a nation in transition.