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Producer
Charles Callewaert (°1855 - †1945)
Theme
portrait
Legend
Massala, an interpreter working for the CEHC, was a known individual. Several photos of him are kept in the collections of the RMCA. This portrait was possibly inspired by a photograph. Father F. Bontinck published articles about Massala. He was an important mediator between the local population and the newly arrived Europeans. He attended the international and universal exhibition in Brussels in 1885 in which the AIC participated. In an exact copy of the "sanitarium" (sic) of Vivi were portraits of Massala (oil paintings) and of Stanley. Massala had a great effect on the general public. A committee of patronesses organised sales of his photographs and even busts of Massala. Massala's image was taken to the Congo by African delegates to the exhibition.
Inscription
Massala, linguister à la station de Vivi 11/9/81
Date of acquisition
1989
Dimensions
24 cm x 17,5 cm
Technique
graphic arts > mixed technique
Inventory number
HO.0.1.3145
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