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The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design Without End
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Seydou Keïta (Malian, 1921(?)–2001)
Untitled [Two Couples], 1959–1960, print 1997
Gelatin silver print; 20 x 24 in. (50.8 x 60.96 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Joseph and Ceil Mazer Foundation Inc. Gift, 1997 (1997.362)
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The boldness of the patterns of the two women's goldfish print dresses is juxtaposed against solid grey drapery. This neutral cool grey backdrop was adopted by Keïta in the mid 1950s. This simplification reflected his commitment to documenting his clients with greater objective realism. As a consequence, the expressive potential of the sitters' apparel is the visual focal point of this composition. The formal repetition of the dress of each of the couples is underscored through their arrangement as an alternation of elements. The especially close nature of the relationship between the two women is reflected in the fact that not only has their hair been arranged in the same coiffure but their dresses cut from the same bolt of cloth.
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