Thirty-one girls and a Koranic master (?)

Unknown

First half of the 20th century · Film, emulsion · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

First half of the 20th century

Medium

Film, emulsion

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Susan Mullin Vogel, 2015