Seydou Keïta (1923-2001) Maternity Mother & Child (1952/1994) Signed Vintage Gelatin Silver Print

Details

Description

SEYDOU KEÏTA (1923–2001)
Title: Maternity
Date: 1952; Annotation signed 1994
Medium: Vintage silver gelatin print
Dimensions: 15.7 × 11.8 in
… Read more SEYDOU KEÏTA (1923–2001)
Title: Maternity
Date: 1952; Annotation signed 1994
Medium: Vintage silver gelatin print
Dimensions: 15.7 × 11.8 in
Signature : Signed and annotated on the verso: “1952 A 55 Seydou Keïta 1994 2”
Provenance / Certificate: Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity
Visual Analysis:
Maternity depicts a tender and intimate moment between a mother and her child, captured in Bamako during the early 1950s. The mother is seated, holding her child securely, while both figures face the camera with calm and dignified expressions. Keïta’s characteristic patterned backdrop frames the figures, creating depth and highlighting the textures of their clothing, which include carefully arranged textiles and subtle accessories.
The photograph demonstrates Keïta’s mastery of composition, light, and shadow. Soft, even lighting accentuates the contours of the mother’s face and the child’s delicate features, while emphasizing the folds and patterns of their attire. The mother’s posture conveys strength and nurturing, and the child’s presence adds emotional resonance, creating a harmonious balance between formal elegance and intimate humanity.
Keïta elevates a private domestic scene into a timeless work of art, blending documentary realism with formal sophistication. The photograph captures both individual personality and universal themes of care, family, and cultural identity.
Collector’s Significance:
This vintage silver gelatin print, signed and annotated by Keïta in 1994, is a prime example of his iconic portraiture. Maternity embodies the artist’s distinctive ability to combine technical precision, emotional depth, and cultural documentation. Its rarity, historical significance, and aesthetic quality make it highly desirable for collectors of 20th-century photography and African art.

Seydou Keïta was a renowned Malian photographer, born in 1921 in Bamako, Mali, and passed away on November 21, 2001, in Paris, France. He is considered one of the most important African photographers of the 20th century.

Early Life and Career
Keïta's journey in photography began in 1935 when his uncle gifted him a Kodak Brownie Flash camera. He started working as a photographer in 1948, opening his own studio in Bamako, where he specialized in portrait photography, capturing the essence of Malian society.

Artistic Style and Recognition
Keïta's photographs are characterized by their elegance, simplicity, and attention to detail. He is known for his ability to balance formality with intimacy, creating portraits that are both timeless and culturally specific. His work was rediscovered in the 1990s and has since been exhibited globally, earning him international recognition.

Awards and Legacy
Keïta received numerous accolades, including the Prix de la Photographie de l'Union Européenne in 2001. His photographs are now considered works of art, preserved in museums and private collections worldwide.

Seydou Keïta's works are showcased in prominent museums and collections globally, highlighting his impact on African photography. His photographs have been exhibited at institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Grand Palais in Paris, and the Foam Museum in Amsterdam.
Notable Exhibitions
- Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, Paris (1994)
- Museum of Modern Art, New York (1996)
- Tate Modern, London (2008-2009)
-"In and Out of the Studio" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, showcasing Keïta's portraits.
- Grand Palais, Paris (2016)

Keïta's works are part of esteemed collections, including the Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC) and the Pigozzi Collection. His photographs have been recognized for their aesthetic and historical significance, solidifying his position as a leading figure in 20th-century photography .

Keïta's legacy extends beyond his photographs, inspiring generations of African photographers and artists. His work continues to be celebrated for its beauty, cultural significance, and historical importance. See less