King Manuel II: Tensions Rise in 1910 Portugal

The photograph titled King Portugal captures a moment from January 13, 1910, during a period of political upheaval in the country. As tensions rose between monarchists and republicans, King Manuel II was at the center of significant changes in Portugal. He became king in 1908 after the assassination of his father, King Carlos I, and his reign was challenged by rising demands for a republican government. This photograph serves as a visual record of a monarch facing the anxieties of a nation at a crossroads.

Taken by the Bain News Service, this image reflects early 20th-century techniques in photography, particularly the use of glass negatives that were common before the advent of modern film. The clarity of the image speaks to the meticulous practices of photographers at that time and helps document historical figures like King Manuel II. This snapshot not only provides insight into the life of a king but also captures a pivotal moment in Portuguese history just months before the establishment of the Portuguese Republic later that year.