Photograph by
Kollar, James
Subject of
Unidentified Woman or Women
Unidentified Man or Men
Date
early 20th-mid 20th century
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 7 3/16 × 8 1/4 in. (18.3 × 21 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 8 1/8 × 10 in. (20.6 × 25.4 cm)
Description
A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of three (3) men and a woman dressed in theatrical costumes. The woman stands left of center, with her torso turned towards one (1) of the men. She is wearing an embellished, corset dress overlaid with a skirt that is short in front and drapes in the back, detached sleeves, a small hat with large feathers, and a small parasol held above her with her proper right hand. She is depicted looking towards the viewer. On the far left, is a man wearing an open shirt, laced, with large dark and light bands on the sleeves, white pants, sandals, and a brimmed straw hat decorated with diagonal stripes on the edge of the brim. He is kneeling with a conga drum held on his upper thighs. His hands are poised above the drumhead, which faces to the left edge of the image. The drum is decorated with geometric bands. On the right side of the woman are two (2) additional men standing, both looking towards the woman. Both wear outfits similar to the man kneeling. The man on the left is holding maracas in both hands and is facing the woman. The man on the far right stands with his back to the other performers and his torso turned to the right. White text printed in the negative, in the bottom right corner reads, [JAMES KOLLÁR / RADIO CITY, N.Y.]. There are no inscriptions on the back of the image.
Statement
Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection
Classification
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
portraits
Topic
Entertainers
Music
Photography
Stereotypes
Theatre
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2013.46.25.58
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5228e3099-ae97-4911-b95b-245cabeca86f

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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