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Theme

headdress, clothing/ornament, village sceneries, local authority, portrait

Photographer

François Léopold Michel (°1855 - †1932)

Patron

Charles François Alexandre Lemaire (°1863 - †1925)

Place of production

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Legend

Apart from physical anthropological measurement, photography was also used to provide an overview of the various 'races' in Congo. Special attention was paid to physical traits such as filed teeth, 'tattoos’, hair styles and head deformations, which were assumed to offer the basis of a racial classification. Later on it turned out that no physical trait could be of use for such a division. Individuals were usually photographed nude or in ‘traditional’ attire. Although it was much sought after at the time, the Congolese only wore European clothing in exceptional cases.

Original legend

Makandu, Bantu, Chef du village Tupissia.

Inventory number

AP.0.0.1260




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