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Untitled, #313 [Woman Seated on Chair]

1956–57
Not on view
In this portrait, Keïta depicts a woman seated against one of his most popular arabesque backdrops. She rests her arms on the chair and stares directly at the viewer. Keïta has closely framed the image to foreground the woman’s precious jewelry, voluminous outfit, and intricate coiffure, privileging an aesthetic of abundance and opulence that speaks to the woman’s social status. His tendency to fill the picture plane with contrasting motifs stands in opposition to the group of photographs (exhibited at right) by Senegalese photographer Oumar Ka, whose sitters are mostly enshrouded in empty space.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Untitled, #313 [Woman Seated on Chair]
  • Artist: Seydou Keïta (Malian, Bamako ca. 1921–2001 Paris)
  • Date: 1956–57
  • Geography: Mali
  • Medium: Gelatin silver print, 2001
  • Dimensions: Overall: 24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm)
    Image: 22 x 15 1/2 in. (55.9 x 39.4 cm)
  • Classification: Photographs
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph and Ceil Mazer Foundation Inc. Gift, 2002
  • Object Number: 2002.217
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

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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

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