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Thirty-one girls and a Koranic master (?)

First half of the 20th century
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 for deciphering 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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Thirty-one girls and a Koranic master (?)
  • Date: First half of the 20th century
  • Geography: Mali
  • Medium: Film, emulsion
  • Dimensions: H. 4 1/2 × W. 6 1/2 in. (11.4 × 16.5 cm)
  • Classification: Negatives
  • Credit Line: Gift of Susan Mullin Vogel, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.499.12.1
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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