Jean Depara
Un ami et ses copines

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Artist Jean Depara(Congolese, born Angola, 1928–1997)Congolese, born Angola, 1928–1997

Printer Philippe Salaün(French, 1943–2020)French, 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

Not on view

Explore Further

Department

Photography

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

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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