Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the father of Mexican independence, is known for his iconic image with a hat and a cock in his hand. However, his real appearance is a subject of debate among historians. A recent exhibition in Querétaro aims to clarify this issue by displaying various portraits of Hidalgo, some of which reveal unexpected details. The exhibition includes a painting from the National Museum of History, which shows Hidalgo with a more European appearance, and another one from the National Library, where he is depicted as a mestizo. The curator of the exhibition, Alejandro Canedo, explains that the different portraits reflect the changing perceptions of Hidalgo’s image throughout history. The exhibition also includes documents and artifacts related to Hidalgo’s life and revolutionary activities.
