[African American family posed on porch of house]

Archive record

In album (disbound): Negro life in Georgia, U.S.A., compiled and prepared by W.E.B. Du Bois, v. 4, no. 357. B&w copy prints for LOT 11930 are provided as surrogates of original photographs for reference use in P&P Reading Room. A microfilm surrogate is also available. Forms part of: Daniel Murray Collection (Library of Congress). Exhibited: American Treasures at the Library of Congress, 2005. Original albums filed in PR 12 under LOT 11930

About this photograph

This photograph was prepared by W.E.B. Du Bois for an album titled "Negro life in Georgia, U.S.A." The album was part of the Daniel Murray Collection and appeared in volume four as number 357.

Studio portraiture held particular significance in Black communities at this time, when published images of African Americans were dominated by caricature. Sitting for a formal portrait was a deliberate assertion of dignity and standing.

The original albums are held by the Library of Congress, which provides black and white copy prints and microfilm as surrogates for reference use. This photograph was included in the American Treasures exhibition at the Library of Congress in 2005.

The family members shown are not identified in the archive record. Catalogue records of the era frequently left Black sitters unnamed while naming white ones, so the absence of identification reflects the record-keeping practices rather than the sitters themselves.

Compiled from the catalogue record and reference notes on the formats and events involved. The archive record above is the primary source.

Rights & Attribution

Explore

More from the 1890s

Yon Yonson

1899

[Sauk Indian family

1899

[African American family posed for portrait seated on lawn]

1899

[Inuit hut and family]

1899

Mr. H

1899

[Eleanor C. Ransom, Civil War nurse, three-quarter length portrait facing left]

1899