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Untitled

1956–57, printed 1995
Not on view
From 1949 to 1977 Keita was the most popular portrait photographer in his native Bamako, Mali, producing thousands of commissioned portraits of politicians, government workers, shop owners, and ordinary citizens that comprise an outstanding visual record of a modern society.
In this contemplative portrait, Keita emphasizes the syncopated clash of patterns and rhythms-the swirling arabesques of the backdrop, the floral print of the woman's traditional boubou, and the bold black and white checks of the blanket. His subject presents herself with a langorous dignity that is enhanced by significant details of her pose and costume: her forehead bears marks of tribal scarification, she wears her headwrap à la de Gaulle (in imitation of the jaunty angle at which the General wore his military kepi), and she displays her long slender fingers, considered a sign of high social standing.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Untitled
  • Artist: Seydou Keïta (Malian, Bamako ca. 1921–2001 Paris)
  • Date: 1956–57, printed 1995
  • Medium: Gelatin silver print
  • Dimensions: 39.1 x 55.2 cm (15 3/8 x 21 3/4 in. )
  • Classification: Photographs
  • Credit Line: Anonymous Gift, 1997
  • Object Number: 1997.267
  • Curatorial Department: Photographs

More Artwork

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Two Men with Wrist Watches, Seydou Keïta Malian, Gelatin silver print
Two Men with Wrist Watches
Seydou Keïta
1975
Young Woman Seated in Apple Print Dress, Seydou Keïta Malian, Gelatin silver print
Young Woman Seated in Apple Print Dress
Seydou Keïta
1975
Three Girls in Matching Dresses, Seydou Keïta Malian, Gelatin silver print
Three Girls in Matching Dresses
Seydou Keïta
1975
Two Men with Wrist Watches, Seydou Keïta Malian, Gelatin silver print
Two Men with Wrist Watches
Seydou Keïta
1975
Man in Fedora, Seydou Keïta Malian, Gelatin silver print
Man in Fedora
Seydou Keïta
1975

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