The photograph of the woman in Tehuantepec, Mexico, dates from 1929, when the photographer and artist Tina Modotti, who took the photograph, was in Mexico with her lover. At the time, she was already an up-and-coming artist in the field of portrait photography and counted notable personalities of the time among her circle of acquaintances, such as Frida Kahlo. The image depicts a middle-aged native woman wearing a traditional, richly embroidered top. The patterning corresponds to the local decoration for traditionally processed cotton clothing and gives an idea of how colourful the fabric must have been. The relatively large necklace in the form of an amulet and an accompanying solid chain, presumably made of real gold, suggest that the woman comes from a higher social class. The visible earring on the inclined head of the native as well as the ring on her little finger also indicate wealth. She wears a richly decorated vessel on her head, which is also intricately painted with traditional Mexican floral patterns. The vessel is a kind of calabash, a hollowed-out gourd that serves as a transport vessel. This is balanced on the head, and from the size of the calabash in relation to the head it is easy to see what capacity the hollowed-out gourd must have. The woman in Tehuantepec is not looking directly at the camera, but was probably photographed by Tina Modotti without her knowledge. She is wearing her hair relatively loosely braided into a simple braid by the standards of the time. The picture also suggests that she is accustomed to wearing a calabash on her head, thus conforming to the image of women in Mexico at the time. She appears to be accustomed to performing everyday tasks despite her elevated social position. On the other hand, the richly decorated calabash indicates a special event, such as a pageant. The clean, elaborately patterned dress is also an indication that it could be a festive event on the occasion of which the woman wanted to dress fashionably.

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Woman in Tehuantepec, Mexico by Tina Modotti. Available as an art print on canvas, photo paper, watercolor board, uncoated paper or Japanese paper.
photography · latin america · latin american · mexico · mexican · 1920s · twenties · female · woman · tehuantepec · outdoors · traditional dress · costume · carrying · basket · young · portrait · head · pattern · patterns