“Native Converts to Christianity” is a photograph taken by William Johnson sometime between 1855 and 1862. The picture depicts four middle-aged women crowded around in a circle. These women are dressed in very plain clothing. That being said their saris do go down to the ground, which is typically a sign of wealth. This clothing mixed with the presence of very simple jewelry leads to the conclusion that these women most likely come from middle class families. This theory is supported by the gardens that they seem to be sitting in. The serious and focused looks that grace these women’s faces seem as if they are in the midst of a conversation or debate. I wonder what these women are talking about and why they look so serious. Drawing from the tittle of the photograph, I can guess that these women are talking about religion. This leads me to ask, are these women at a church? Is this how they dressed for church?

http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/eaa/id/779/rec/87