Sometimes, a single image is enough to bring an entire chapter of the past back to life. This is the case with this sepia photograph, dated March 1892, found in the archives of Puebla, Mexico. It shows a woman sitting on a finely crafted chair, her gaze lost in thought, holding two babies with peaceful faces in her arms. For decades, this family portrait was seen as a simple testament to maternal love—until it was discovered that it held a tragic story and a mystery that continues to fascinate historians.
An image from another time
At first glance, this photograph is no different from the many portraits taken at the end of the 19th century. The clothing is typical of the period: a dark dress with a high collar, delicate lace, and small white slippers. The mother, Catalina Ruiz de Herrera, belonged to a wealthy family in Puebla. Married to Don Felipe Herrera, a prosperous merchant, she embodied the respectability of a local bourgeoisie attached to its traditions. The photograph was taken by Don Abundio Cortés, a photographer renowned for his meticulous portraits and his mastery of natural light.
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