This photograph depicts the woman of Tehuantepec in ceremonial dress, made apparent by the white head coverings that they wear. Due to the political and economic power they possessed in their indigenous communities, the women of Tehuantepec were favorite subjects of many artists active in Mexico during the first half of the 20th century, including the photographer Tina Modotti, the filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein, and the painter Frida Kahlo.

O. B. Hachenberger
Active in Mexico, 1900–1999
Six Young Women
Gelatin silver print, ca. 1940
This photograph depicts the women of Tehuantepec in ceremonial
dress, made apparent by their white head coverings. Due to
the p olitical a nd e conomic p ower t hey p ossessed in t heir indigenous
communities, the women of Tehuantepec were favorite
subjects of many artists active in Mexico during the first half of
the 20th century, including photographer Tina Modotti, filmmaker
Sergei Eisenstein, and painter Frida Kahlo.
Gift of Forrest D. Colburn, 2009.29
Last Updated: 5/12/2015