Harbinger of progress

In the second half of nineteenth century, Portugal undertook in its mainland and colonial territories an ambitious modernising programme based on technoscientific grounds. From late 1870s onwards, such was widely advertised Occidente, most important illustrated journal time that published several drawings original photographs. this paper, I will analyse imagery authentic photography related to activities colonies, using a methodology combines semiotics with photojournalistic analysis. claim by publishing photos, crucial create image as modern, technoscientific, imperial nation, before development halftone printing photojournalism.