Photographs of art objects collected by Maxwell C., 1904-1984, and Betty Stanley. The Stanley's had begun to collect African art objects during a business trip to West Africa in the 1960s, and they gradually acquired nearly 600 pieces. The objects are found today in the University of Iowa Museum. Events documented include official government ceremonies with staged indigenous dances; rituals in villages such as young members of the female sande society returning from the initiation camp; and visits by foreign heads of state such as Queen Elizabeth II and Josip Broz Tito of Yoguslavia. Art works include figures, masks, musical instruments, sculptures and staffs.
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Christopher D. Roy, Curator of African, Oceanic, and New-World cultures, The University of Iowa Museum of Art; Associate Professor of Art History, The University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, 1991.
Conditions Governing Access note
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Conditions Governing Use note
For study purposes only. Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
National Museum of African Art
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 708
Washington, DC 20013-7012
elisofonarchives@si.edu