The image depicts a young child sitting on the ground, likely in an outdoor setting. The child appears to be of African descent and is adorned with decorative elements such as beads around their necks, possibly indicating cultural significance or personal adornment. Behind the child stands a large traditional drum, which suggests that music may play a role in this community's culture. Beside the child is a small stool, hinting at everyday domestic life within the setting captured by Van der Elsken during his travels to Africa between 1956 and 1957. The monochromatic tone of the photograph provides an air of historical documentation or artistic expression, emphasizing textures such as the smoothness of the child's skin and the grainy texture of their surroundings. The overall composition conveys a sense of simplicity in living conditions while highlighting cultural aspects through props like the drum. This image is part of Van der Elsken's work during his African travels, where he captured portraits that offered insights into local cultures and lifestyles at the time.

The image depicts a young child sitting on the ground, likely in an outdoor setting. The child appears to be of African descent and is adorned with decorative elements such as beads around their necks, possibly indicating cultural significance or personal adornment. Behind the child stands a large traditional drum, which suggests that music may play a role in this community's culture. Beside the child is a small stool, hinting at everyday domestic life within the setting captured by Van der Elsken during his travels to Africa between 1956 and 1957. The monochromatic tone of the photograph provides an air of historical documentation or artistic expression, emphasizing textures such as the smoothness of the child's skin and the grainy texture of their surroundings. The overall composition conveys a sense of simplicity in living conditions while highlighting cultural aspects through props like the drum. This image is part of Van der Elsken's work during his African travels, where he captured portraits that offered insights into local cultures and lifestyles at the time.

The image is a black and white photograph showing an older man with dark skin, likely of African descent. He has facial features such as pronounced cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a thick moustache that suggests maturity or aging. His expression appears pained or grimacing slightly, possibly in discomfort. He's wearing what seems to be traditional or utilitarian clothing: a sleeveless vest over his bare chest, shorts with a patterned weave, and long socks pulled up just below the knee. The man is holding an infant on his right side close to his body; only parts of both figures are visible, including one arm extended around the child's torso. The background is blurred but indicates an outdoor setting that looks rural or possibly impoverished based on hints of simple structures. There appears to be a structure with what could be straw-thatched roofing and another building in the distant backdrop which might suggest this photo was taken at some distance from urban areas, potentially under conditions reflecting poverty or hardship. There are no explicit contextual clues as to why he is holding an infant; it may have been staged for artistic purposes given its historical context.

The image is a black and white photograph showing an older man with dark skin, likely of African descent. He has facial features such as pronounced cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a thick moustache that suggests maturity or aging. His expression appears pained or grimacing slightly, possibly in discomfort. He's wearing what seems to be traditional or utilitarian clothing: a sleeveless vest over his bare chest, shorts with a patterned weave, and long socks pulled up just below the knee. The man is holding an infant on his right side close to his body; only parts of both figures are visible, including one arm extended around the child's torso. The background is blurred but indicates an outdoor setting that looks rural or possibly impoverished based on hints of simple structures. There appears to be a structure with what could be straw-thatched roofing and another building in the distant backdrop which might suggest this photo was taken at some distance from urban areas, potentially under conditions reflecting poverty or hardship. There are no explicit contextual clues as to why he is holding an infant; it may have been staged for artistic purposes given its historical context.

The image is a black and white portrait of an African American girl. She appears to be in her early teens, with dark skin, brown eyes, and closely cropped hair styled into two braids that frame the sides of her face. Her gaze is directed off-camera, suggesting contemplation or focus on something outside the viewer's perspective. The lighting accentuates the contours of her cheekbones, nose, and jawline, giving a sense of depth to her features. A small earring is visible in one earlobe, catching light along with speckles scattered across the image which could be dust particles from processing or handling during photography. There are no discernible background elements that provide context for the setting; it's predominantly white and grey tones around the subject, ensuring she remains the focal point of the composition. The photograph appears aged, as indicated by its monochrome palette and grainy texture, possibly hinting at a historical significance or artistic value.

The image is a black and white portrait of an African American girl. She appears to be in her early teens, with dark skin, brown eyes, and closely cropped hair styled into two braids that frame the sides of her face. Her gaze is directed off-camera, suggesting contemplation or focus on something outside the viewer's perspective. The lighting accentuates the contours of her cheekbones, nose, and jawline, giving a sense of depth to her features. A small earring is visible in one earlobe, catching light along with speckles scattered across the image which could be dust particles from processing or handling during photography. There are no discernible background elements that provide context for the setting; it's predominantly white and grey tones around the subject, ensuring she remains the focal point of the composition. The photograph appears aged, as indicated by its monochrome palette and grainy texture, possibly hinting at a historical significance or artistic value.