Jean Depara
Un ami et ses copines

Un ami et ses copines

© Estate of Jean Depara/Revue Noire Paris

Un ami et ses copines
Un ami et ses copines
ArtistCongolese, born Angola, 1928–1997
PrinterFrench, 1943–2020
CultureCongolese
Titles
  • Un ami et ses copines
  • A Pal and His Friends
Date1960s, printed 2000
Place depictedAngola, Africa
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 17 3/16 × 17 1/4 in. (43.7 × 43.8 cm)
Sheet: 23 15/16 × 19 7/8 in. (60.8 × 50.5 cm)
Credit LineGift of Jean Pigozzi
Object number2005.149
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

In 1951 Jean Depara opened
his photography studio in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa) in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (
DRC). The studio’s name, Jean Whisky Depara, announced
his style of photography by splitting the artist’s own moniker with a beverage
that suggested a dangerous type of cool. This transgressive attitude extended
into Depara’s practice. Until 1960, when the
DRC
gained independence from Belgium,
black photographers were



forbidden from
photographing outside of the studio. Depara defied these rules, capturing
people on the street with poise and style.




ProvenanceJean Pigozzi, Geneva, Switzerland; given to MFAH, 2005.
Exhibition History"Through an African Lens: Sub-Saharan Photography from the Museum's Collection," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 27–November 8, 2020.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in ink, recto, lower left below image: Un ami et ses copines 60's // JMB Baloude [?]
Embossed, recto, lower right beside image: C.A.A.C. // LTD. [circular]
Marked in green and black ink, recto, lower right below image: [fingerprint] +
Stamped in black ink, recto, lower right below image: PHOTO CONTRF MAITRE // L'argent qui M'embête // Si j'avais (?)a femme balance // Jour et Nuit // Cme ABOOBAKAR Jean // wiskcsse D parant // L. v. Av. Itaga No 48 // Léopoldville [within rectangular border]
Inscribed in pencil, verso, lower edge: ZA/DP 05B // 553
Signed in pencil, verso, lower right: P. SALAÜN 2000
Printed, verso, lower right: TIRAGE PAR PHILIPPE SALAÜN

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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