Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Eva L. R. Meyerowitz photographs, EEPA 1987-009

Summary

Collection ID:
EEPA.1987-009
Creators:
Meyerowitz, Eva L. R. (Eva Lewin Richter), 1899-1994
Meyerowitz, Herbert Vladimir, 1900-1945
Dates:
circa 1936 - circa 1937
Languages:
Undetermined
.
Physical Description:
88 Negatives (photographic)
black and white
35 mm
268 Copy negatives
black and white
35 mm
285 Photographic prints
(0.4 cubic feet; 3 binders)
black and white
8 x 10 inches or smaller
16 Contact sheets
black and white
8 1/2 x 11 inches or smaller
Repository:
This collection consists of negatives and photographic prints taken in 1936 and 1937 by Eva L.R. Meyerowitz in Nigeria, Benin and Ghana. Peoples depicted include the Akan, Fon, Konkomba, and Tallensi and subjects include artisans, blacksmiths, dancing, markets, artwork and objects that were originally displayed in King Bezu's palace in Abomey, potters, shrines, and vernacular architecture.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This collection measures 0.5 cubic feet and consists of negatives and photographs taken by Eva L.R. Meyerowitz in Abomey, Republic of Benin; Umahahya, Nigeria; and Techiman, Ghana. Peoples depicted include the Akan, Fon, Konkomba, and Tallensi. Subjects include artisans; artwork and objects that were originally displyed in King Bezu's palace in Abomey, including sculptures, staffs, applique cloth, and bas-reliefs; blacksmiths; dancing; a Legba shrine; markets, including one in Bohicon, Nigeria; potters; priests and priestesses at Abomey; and vernacular architeture. Individuals depicted include two wives of King Behanzin, Prince Justin Aho, and the only surviving Dahomey Amazon women warriors who had fought against the French in 1894.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Collection arranged in two series by format:
  • Series 1: Negatives, 356 items, 0.1 cubic feet (1 box), 1936-1937
  • Series 2: Photographic Prints, 0.4 cubic feet (3 volumes), circa 1936 - circa 1937

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Born in Berlin, Eva Lewin-Richter Meyerowitz (1899-1994) was an anthropologist and photographer. In 1925 she married sculptor, educator, and British colonial administrator in Africa, Herbert Meyerowitz (1900-1945). They had one child. Eva and Herbert moved to South Africa and collaboratively surveyed the indigenous crafts of the Gold Coast. In South Africa, Herbert taught at Cape Town University and opened an art school. Having moved away from Africa for several years, Meyerowitz returned after World War II and lived for forty years in the Bono-Tekyiman State of Ghana. She was made Queen Mother there in 1950.
Some of Meyerowitz's publications include: The Akan of Ghana (1958); The Divine Kingship in Ghana and Ancient Egypt (1962); and At the Court of an African King (1962).

Administration

Author
Eden Orelove
Custodial History note
Donated by Eva L.R. Meyerowitz, 1986.
Processing Information
Negatives digitized in 2019. Descriptive information prepared by Hannah Storch, 2019. Finding aid by Eden Orelove, 2019.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Conditions Governing Access note
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Preferred Citation
Eva L. R. Meyerowitz photographs, EEPA 1987-009, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Africa Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographic prints Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fon (African people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Abomey (Benin) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Umahahya (Nigeria) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Techiman (Ghana) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Benin Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ghana Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Nigeria Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Konkomba (African people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tallensi (African people) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Akan (African people) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
National Museum of African Art
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 708
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-4690
Fax Number: Fax: 202-357-4879
elisofonarchives@si.edu