ticketsMember | Make a donation

Untitled [Seated Woman with Chevron Print Dress]

1956, printed 1997
Not on view
In the twentieth century, photography became a medium of expression that African artists began to draw upon to reflect on the world around them. One of the exceptional talents to emerge in this area has been the Malian photographer Seydou Keita (ca. 1921–2001), whose work has been admired on an international scale. Keita's oeuvre consists of portraits that chronicle Malian life during the mid-twentieth century. His portraits are renowned for not only their masterful formal composition, but also their ability to capture the nuances of this important transitional period in Malian history.

This portrait of an unidentified woman displays the signature pictorial style that made Keita the premier Malian photographer of his generation. Employing different backdrops and successfully combining pattern on pattern, the woman's skirt is dynamically juxtaposed with the regularity of the floral motif on the backdrop behind her. Keita positioned the woman so the arrow design of her dress directs the viewer to her bodice, where light vertical elements of her blouse lead toward her smiling, confident face. The overall pattern on the backdrop holds the viewer's attention while it gently repeats itself and simultaneously guides our eyes back down to her skirt.

This portrait is one among hundreds Keita made in his legendary studio in Bamako, the capital city of Mali. Opened in 1948 near the railway station and post office his studio was the fashionable place to be seen and photographed. This location attracted local customers, including those en route to Senegal. Keita operated his studio until 1962, when, after Mali's independence, he was asked to be a government photographer, he retired in the mid-1970s. He was meticulous about preserving and organizing his negatives, but he did not record the names of the people who waited patiently to be photographed. Therefore at present, the name of this woman is unknown to us.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Untitled [Seated Woman with Chevron Print Dress]
  • Artist: Seydou Keïta (Malian, Bamako ca. 1921–2001 Paris)
  • Date: 1956, printed 1997
  • Geography: Mali, Bamako
  • Medium: Gelatin silver print
  • Dimensions: 60.96 x 50.8 cm (24 x 20 in.)
  • Classification: Photographs
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph and Ceil Mazer Foundation Inc. Gift, 1997
  • Object Number: 1997.364
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Untitled, Seydou Keïta Malian, Gelatin silver print
Untitled
Seydou Keïta
1956–57, printed 1995
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

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.