Photograph by
Olson, Martha, American
Subject of
Unidentified Child or Children
Date
1970
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 12 9/16 × 9 3/4 in. (31.9 × 24.8 cm)
H x W (Paper Mount): 17 × 13 3/4 in. (43.2 × 34.9 cm)
H x W (Paper Frame Closed): 20 × 16 1/16 in. (50.8 × 40.8 cm)
H x W (Paper Frame Open): 20 × 32 3/16 in. (50.8 × 81.7 cm)
Caption
Martha Olson graduated from Northwestern University with her B.A. in Art in 1969, and within a year, she was working more than 800 miles away as the girls’ physical education teacher at Marion High School in Columbia, Mississippi. It was the first year of integration in Mississippi public schools. During that time, Olson photographed local students, their relatives, and other residents of Marion County, which she later compiled into a series entitled, "Marion County Mississippi: 1970-1971."
Description
A black and white photograph of an unidentified grammar school student. The young girl is pictured from the chest up. Her body faces the left of the image and her head is turned towards the camera, chin resting on her proper left shoulder. She is wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a pinafore. The photograph is mounted to a paper frame. Below the photograph handwritten text in ink reads: [Olson]. On the back of the photograph are handwritten inscriptions identifying the subject, date, and photographer.
Place depicted
Marion County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America
Portfolio/Series
Marion County Mississippi: 1970-1971
Classification
Media Arts-Photography
Type
gelatin silver prints
portraits
Topic
American South
Children
Communities
Education
Photography
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Martha Olson
Object number
2018.21.14
Restrictions & Rights
© Martha Olson
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd505a04417-ed6d-4654-a5d4-2b078e709595

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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