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Secondary sourceDocument1902

Report on the Authenticity of the True Portrait of Miguel Hidalgo

1902

A 1902 report examining documents meant to prove the authenticity of a portrait of Hidalgo.

This report investigates which portrait of Hidalgo is authentic, relevant to how his image has been remembered.

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Report on the Authenticity of the True Portrait of Miguel HidalgoPDF · 20 pages
Report on the Authenticity of the True Portrait of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, 1902 printed pamphlet.

About this source

What it is

This is a short printed report from 1902 presenting documents meant to establish the authenticity of what was claimed to be the true portrait of Miguel Hidalgo, called here the 'Father of Independence.' It includes a petition from a woman who photographed a bust believed to be an authentic likeness of Hidalgo, submitted to Mexican government officials.

Why it matters

This report shows how, nearly a century after Hidalgo's death, people were still trying to establish exactly what he looked like, since many competing images existed. It reveals the challenges historians face when a historical figure's true appearance is uncertain and debated.

Look closer

  • Why might it matter so much to Mexicans in 1902 to know what Hidalgo 'really' looked like?
  • What does the need for an official report like this tell you about the reliability of portraits made long after someone's death?
  • Who submitted this report, and what might their relationship to Hidalgo tell you about their motives?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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