Untitled (circa 1990s)

Name/Title

Untitled (circa 1990s)

Entry/Object ID

2022.153b

Description

The woman wears the face veil (burqaʿ) and embroidered dress (thobe) associated with Bir Saba in the Al Naqab region of southern Palestine. The face veil is adorned with coins suspended from an embroidered forehead band, reflecting family lineage, social status, and wealth. The Bir Saba thobe is distinguished by its oversized cut, which provided both modesty and ventilation in the desert climate. Its generous proportions allowed air to circulate around the body, demonstrating how Palestinian dress traditions were adapted to local environmental conditions. The model's black eyeliner may reference the historical use of kohl, a dark eye cosmetic traditionally worn by Bedouin women and men for both aesthetic and practical purposes, including reducing glare from the desert sun and protecting the eyes from dust. This photograph is part of a two-part set. Its companion photograph is cataloged as object no. 2022.153a. Authored by Wafa Ghnaim

Collection

Permanent Collection

Cataloged By

Wafa Ghnaim

Category

Photographs

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Lily Bandak

Role

Photographer

Date made

circa 1990

Place

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Makers Mark

Location

Bottom right corner

Transcription

Signature of Lily Bandak

Dimensions

Height

18 in

Width

24 in

Relationships

Related Places

Notes

type: travel date: 1995-2010 certainty: precise notes: Lily had a darkroom in her home in Delaware, and this photograph was likely printed at that time.

Notes

type: travel date: 2024 certainty: precise notes: The photograph was donated to the Museum of the Palestinian People.

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Gift of the Bandak family

Reproductions

Notes

This is an authentic reproduction, mounted and signed by Lily Bandak.