MEXICO

Photo #1: Scott (1069)

The photograph is taken between 1895-1910 by and English photographer, Scott. Scott was known for his early aged semi-pornographic images of the Mexican culture. The photo feels intrusive and somewhat pornographic of the mother’s breast. The woman is objectified by the image, while being photographed in such an intimate scene. The Mexican culture is presented by the clay pots in the background with the straw roof on the mud brick home. The activities taking place in this photograph portrays the everyday life of the indigenous people. It looks as though the children are either braiding each other’s hair or checking one another for hair tics. The little boy looks as if he is looking into the lens at an imposter or someone who does not belong, while the others ignore the camera entirely. It is hard to tell if this photo is staged or not. The significance of this photo is the semi-pornographic photograph of an indigenous women that would not have been taken if she were Anglo.

INDIA

Photo #2: Johnson

The photograph is taken between 1855-1862 by an English photographer William Johnson. The photograph is a portrait of two young Indian women who look sad and posed. The photograph is a part of the series, Photographs of Western India, Volume I: Customs and Characters. The landscape behind the two women is most likely Bombay. The dress skirts worn by the two women are meant to symbolize their culture and customs. The mood of the photograph however is forced and intrusive. The ‘character’ of these indigenous women are not captured in the photo and their power feels lost. The women are not surrounded by their culture, rather objectified by the photographer and posed.

Bibliography:

Scott. [Mother Breastfeeding Baby with Three Children Checking Hair] ca. 1895-1910. DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University, Dallas.

Johnson, William. Camattee Women. Cs. 1855-1862. DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University, Dallas.