The Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at the National Museum of African Art is a research and reference center with over 300,000 still photographic images documenting the arts, peoples and history of Africa over the past 120 years. Eliot Elisofon (1911-1973) was an internationally known photographer and filmmaker. He created an enduring visual record of African life from 1947 to 1973. Mr. Elisofon bequeathed to the museum his African materials, which included more than 50,000 black-and-white photographs and 30,000 color transparencies. The Archives has since added to its holdings important and varied collections from widely recognized photographers.

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Highlight Selections:

  • Irigwe dancers, Jos Plateau, Nigeria, [slide],  Name: Elisofon, Eliot,  Date: 1970s
    Irigwe dancers, Jos Plateau, Nigeria, [slide], Name: Elisofon, Eliot, Date: 1970s
  • Dancing at La Cote nightclub, Kinshasa, Congo (Democratic Republic), [slide],  Name: Elisofon, Eliot,  Date: 1970s
    Dancing at La Cote nightclub, Kinshasa, Congo (Democratic Republic), [slide], Name: Elisofon, Eliot, Date: 1970s
  • Irigwe dancers of Miango village, Jos Plateau, Nigeria, [slide],  Name: Elisofon, Eliot,  Date: 1950s
    Irigwe dancers of Miango village, Jos Plateau, Nigeria, [slide], Name: Elisofon, Eliot, Date: 1950s
  • Irigwe dancers of Miango village, Jos Plateau, Nigeria, [slide],  Name: Elisofon, Eliot,  Date: 1950s
    Irigwe dancers of Miango village, Jos Plateau, Nigeria, [slide], Name: Elisofon, Eliot, Date: 1950s
  • Samburu moran dancing : Barseloi, Kenya,  Name: Cole, Herbert M,  Date: 1970s
    Samburu moran dancing : Barseloi, Kenya, Name: Cole, Herbert M, Date: 1970s
  • Ntore dancers, Goma, Congo (Democratic Republic). [slide],  Name: Elisofon, Eliot,  Date: 1970s
    Ntore dancers, Goma, Congo (Democratic Republic). [slide], Name: Elisofon, Eliot, Date: 1970s
  • Ntore dancers, Gisenyi, Rwanda, [slide],  Name: Elisofon, Eliot,  Date: 1950s
    Ntore dancers, Gisenyi, Rwanda, [slide], Name: Elisofon, Eliot, Date: 1950s
  • Mangbetu chief Teingu wearing dance costume, Mongomasi village, Congo (Democratic Republic), [slide],  Name: Elisofon, Eliot,  Date: 1970s
    Mangbetu chief Teingu wearing dance costume, Mongomasi village, Congo (Democratic Republic), [slide], Name: Elisofon, Eliot, Date: 1970s
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Historical postcard collections from Africa.

     
 


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