Photograph by
Russell Bros., 1883-1941
Subject of
Unidentified Woman or Women
Unidentified Child or Children
Date
early 20th century
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin or collodion on printing out paper on card mount
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 4 5/8 × 7 7/8 in. (11.7 × 20 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 5 1/4 × 8 1/2 in. (13.3 × 21.6 cm)
Description
A cabinet card with a black-and-white photograph of an unidentified woman and three (3) unidentified children sitting on the steps of a raised wooden breezeway between two wooden buildings. The woman sits one step above the children and uses a comb to pick lice or other pests from the head of the child seated in the middle, whose head is resting on the woman's lap. The other two children look off frame to their left. The title and photographer name is in handwritten white text to the left of the woman and at the bottom left that is inherent to the print. The reverse of the gray card mount has a detailed list of other "Special Southern Views" available from Russell Bros. photographers printed in black ink.
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 captured
Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series
Special Southern Views
Classification
Media Arts-Photography
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
cabinet photographs
Topic
American South
Children
Domestic life
Hair
Health
Photography
Stereotypes
U.S. History, 1865-1921
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Object number
2016.166.11
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a558272c-58fd-4ba6-bd4e-b3b163aaee59

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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