Thirty-one girls and a Koranic master (?)

1975
Not on view
The bare sandy ground and the side of an earthen building (evidenced by the portal on the left hand side) serve as set and backdrop of this group portrait. The minimal decor, coupled with the lack of information at hand regarding this image's photographer, don't leave many clues allowing to decipher the photograph's hidden history. All that can be determined lies with the image's sitters and primarily the male figure, centrally positioned in the composition. This lone adult wears a hat and robe that is typical of a Koranic instructor. He is surrounded by three rows of girls whose dresses are made of cloths in a variety of styles and adorned with a wide array of patterns - probably his students. (Printed by Jerry L. Thompson in 1975 from the original glass negative.)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Thirty-one girls and a Koranic master (?)
  • Date: 1975
  • Geography: Mali
  • Medium: Gelatin silver print
  • Dimensions: H. 4 1/2 × W. 6 1/2 in. (11.4 × 16.5 cm)
  • Classification: Paper-Photographs
  • Credit Line: Gift of Susan Mullin Vogel, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.499.12.2
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.