Finding Aid for the Al Djazair and Tunis Album 2001.R.20

Beth Ann Guynn
Special Collections
2014
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles 90049-1688
Business Number: (310) 440-7390
Fax Number: (310) 440-7780
reference@getty.edu


Contributing Institution: Special Collections
Title: Al Djazair and Tunis album
Creator: Al-Wahhāb, Abdu Rabbih
Identifier/Call Number: 2001.R.20
Physical Description: 1 album(s)(107 photographs)
Date: 1881
Abstract: The album, compiled by a person identified as Abdu Rabbih al-Wahhāb, contains photographs of the Maghreb region of North Africa. The first half of the album features views of Algeria and Tunisia, while the second half is devoted to portraits of North Africans. These are primarily studio portraits of women from various ethnic groups, although some male occupational portraits, as well as portraits of dignitaries such as the Agha and Califa of Ouargla are included.
Physical Location: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record  for this collection. Click here for the access policy .
Language of Material: Collection material is in Arabic and Judeo-Arabic.

Biographical/Historical Note

The title page lists a person known as Abdu Rabbih al-Wahhāb as the "author" of the album. This may be a pseudonym or fictitious name.

Arrangment

Arranged in a single series: Series I. Al Djazair and Tunis Album.

Acquisition Information

Acquired in 2001.

Access

Open for use by qualified researchers.

Preferred Citation

Al Djazair and Tunis album, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. 2001.R.20.
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa2001r20

Scope and Content of Collection

The album contains 107 albumen photographs of the Maghreb region of North Africa. The first half of the album features views of Algeria and Tunisia taken in and around Tlemcen, Algiers, Biskra, Blida, Béjaïa, El Kantara, Carthage, Lambessa, and Ouargle. There are images of mosques, tombs, and palaces, as well as local neighborhoods and streets. Natural sites, such as gorges, oases, and desert areas are also depicted, as are views of Roman ruins. The second half is devoted to portraits of North African peoples. These are primarily studio portraits of women from various ethnic groups, although some male occupational portraits, as well as portraits of dignitaries such as the Agha and Califa of Ouargla are included. Many of the sitters are identified by name. A few scenes of daily life showing coffee houses, shops, markets, and street life are interspersed among the portraits.
The album was seemilngly compiled from a North African perspective, as only a few images containing portions of French buildings allude to a western presence. This fact, along with the album's elaborate box and covers, suggests that it may have been compiled for a high ranking official or wealthy North African.
The photographs are unsigned and the photographer(s) have not been identified.
The covers of the album are made of carved wood and tooled and painted leather set into brass backings and closed with brass hinges; decorations are in a North African artisanal style comprising calligraphic and geometric elements. On the front cover a tugra (i.e. in the style of an Ottoman ruler's signature) written in a combination of colloquial and classical Arabic reads: Algiers / Tunis. Do not look at the beauty of appearances, look at your deeds. Appearance is not as important as the inner self.
The first sura of the Qur'an is inscribed in the center of the brass inner cover: I start with the name of God; and in the border: In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
The title page reads: Author: Abdu Rabbih al-Wahhāb - Fernand tunisi baldati min Kusa [?] (called Gabriel the Christian, in the year 1881). The date of compilation is significant in that 1881 marked the end of over three centuries of Ottoman rule in the Maghreb.
The album is housed in a carved wooden box. Carved on the box cover, also as a tugra, are the names of two brothers, Kheireddine and Arrouj (Hayreddin Barbarossa and Oruç Reis), infamous sixteenth-century corsairs.
The titles of the individual photographs are from the captions written on the mounts. Most captions are in Arabic; some mounts bear Judeo-Arabic captions as noted; a few images are uncaptioned and titles for these were devised by the archivist. The Arabic captions were translated by Karim Boughida and David Brafman. The Judeo-Arabaic captions were translated by Jona Sabir.

Processing History

Processed and cataloged by Beth Ann Guynn in 2001. Finding aid encoded by Linda Kleiger and Guynn. The finding aid was updated by Guynn in 2021.

Publication Rights

Digitized Material

The collection was digitized in 2015 and the images are available online:
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/2001r20

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Clothing and dress -- Algeria
Clothing and dress -- Tunisia
Architecture, Islamic -- Algeria
Architecture, Islamic -- Tunisia
Women -- Tunisia
Women -- Algeria
Streets -- Algeria
Tombs -- Algeria
Occupations -- Algeria -- History -- 19th century
Occupations -- Tunisia -- History -- 19th century
Indigeneous peoples -- Tunisia -- Portraits
Mosques -- Algeria
Gorges -- Algeria
Indigenous peoples -- Algeria -- Portraits
Tunisia -- Antiquities -- Roman
Tunisia -- Description and travel
Tunisia -- Social life and customs
France -- Colonies -- Africa
Algeria -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
Algeria -- Antiquities, Roman
Photographs, Original
Algeria -- Description and travel
Albumen prints -- Algeria -- 19th century
Studio portraits -- Tunisia -- 19th century
Studio portraits -- Algeria -- 19th century
Albumen prints -- Tunisia -- 19th century

 

Al Djazair and Tunis, Series I. 1881

Al Djazair and Tunis album

box 1, page 1 recto

The New Mosque 2001.R.20-1r.

Scope and Contents

Djama'a el Djedid or Jamaa El Jedid; known during French colonial rule as the Mosquée de la Pêcherie or the Mosque of the Fisherman's Wharf.
box 1, page 1 verso

Interior of the Mosque of Sidi bou Mediene in the City of Tlemcen 2001.R.20-1v

box 1, page 2 recto

Entry to the Mosque of Sidi bou Mediene 2001.R.20-2r

box 1, page 2 verso

Interior of Mosque al Kebir, Algiers 2001.R.20-2v

box 1, page 3 recto

Door of Mosque al Kebir 2001.R.20-3r

box 1, page 3 verso

The New Mosque, Algiers 2001.R.20-3v

box 1, page 4 recto

The Palace of Mustapha, Dey of Algiers 2001.R.20-4r

box 1, page 4 verso

Palace of the Dey 2001.R.20-4v

Scope and Contents

Palace of Mustapha.
box 1, page 5 recto

Heart of the Palace of the Dey in Algiers 2001.R.20-5r

box 1, page 5 verso

Quarter in Algiers 2001.R.20-5v

box 1, page 6 recto

Quarter in Algiers 2001.R.20-6r

box 1, page 6 verso

Neighborhood of the al Djadid Gate near Mosque Zeitun 2001.R.20-6v

Scope and Contents

Al Djedid or Jamaa El Jedid Gate.
box 1, page 7 recto

Quarter of Sidi Helal 2001.R.20-7r

box 1, page 7 verso

Palace of the Dey, Neighborhood of Mustapha near Algiers 2001.R.20-7v

box 1, page 8 recto

Garden of an Islamic House near Algiers 2001.R.20-8r

box 1, page 8 verso

[Roman Cistern, Carthage] 2001.R.20-8v

box 1, page 9 recto

Bananas 2001.R.20-9r

box 1, page 9 verso

Gorge of Lakhara near Béjaïa 2001.R.20-9v

box 1, page 10 recto

Blida--the Gorge Chiffa, River of Monkeys between Blida and Médéa 2001.R.20-10r

box 1, page 10 verso

Set of Palm Trees in Hamma 2001.R.20-10v

box 1, page 11 recto

Camels in Desert 2001.R.20-11r

box 1, page 11 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-11v

box 1, page 12 recto

Dromedary 2001.R.20-12r

Scope and Contents

A mehari or riding camel.
box 1, page 12 verso

Saharan Traveler 2001.R.20-12v

box 1, page 13 recto

Gorge of Lakhara 2001.R.20-13r

box 1, page 13 verso

Tents [Bwut al-Chaar] near Biskra 2001.R.20-13v

box 1, page 14 recto

Shrine of Sīdī Ya'kub in Grove of Olive Trees, Blida 2001.R.20-14r

box 1, page 14 verso

Tomb of Sīdī 'Uqba near Biskra 2001.R.20-14v

box 1, page 15 recto

Quarter in Biskra 2001.R.20-15r

box 1, page 15 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-15v

box 1, page 16 recto

Gardens near Biskra 2001.R.20-16r

box 1, page 16 verso

[Wall with Graffiti] 2001.R.20-16v

box 1, page 17 recto

Old Quarter in Laghouat 2001.R.20-17r

box 1, page 17 verso

Ruins of Massoura near Tiemcen 2001.R.20-17v

box 1, page 18 recto

El Kantara between Batna and Biskra 2001.R.20-18r

box 1, page 18 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-18v

box 1, page 19 recto

Roman Gate in Lambessa 2001.R.20-19r

box 1, page 19 verso

Coffee House for Muslims, Touggourt 2001.R.20-19v

box 1, page 20 recto

Quarter in Biskra 2001.R.20-20r

box 1, page 20 verso

Coffee House for Muslims in Ouargla 2001.R.20-20v

Scope and Contents

Ouargla is in southern Algeria.
box 1, page 21 recto

Sahara, View from Theniet Siffa, the Road of Sepha 2001.R.20-21r

box 1, page 21 verso

Kabyle Girls and Women and Prostitutes of Algiers 2001.R.20-21v

Scope and Contents

Six images.
box 1, page 22 recto

The Agha and Khalifa of Ouargla 2001.R.20.22r

Scope and Contents

Four images.
box 1, page 22 verso

"Baba Salem" - Algiers 2001.R.20-22v

box 1, page 23 recto

Youth [?] in Algiers 2001.R.20-23r

box 1, page 23 verso

A Merchant of Algeria 2001.R.20-23v

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 24 recto

An Wise Man of Algeria 2001.R.20-24r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 24 verso

Magician of Biskra 2001.R.20-24v

box 1, page 25 recto

Kabyle Woman 2001.R.20-25r

box 1, page 25 verso

Fatma Tata 2001.R.20-25v

box 1, page 26 recto

Fatma, Daughter of the Turkish Hassan in the Quarter Sour and Es-Settara 7, 30 Years Old 2001.R.20-26r

box 1, page 26 verso

Algierian Woman in City Attire 2001.R.20-26v

box 1, page 27 recto

Al-Hartania in Algiers 2001.R.20-27r

box 1, page 27 verso

Algierian Woman in City Attire 2001.R.20-27v

box 1, page 28 recto

Fatma, a Local Girl, 15 Years Old 2001.R.20-28r

box 1, page 28 verso

Woman of Algiers 2001.R.20-28v

box 1, page 29 recto

Girl of Algiers 2001.R.20-29r

box 1, page 29 verso

Yemina, Daughter of Bani Henna Tribe in Kabylia 2001.20.R-29v

box 1, page 30 recto

Yemina 2001.R.20-30r

box 1, page 30 verso

Blank page 2001.R.29-30v

box 1, page 31 recto

Yemina 2001.R.20-31r

box 1, page 31 verso

Painting by Lazerges, 1879 2001.R.20-31v

Scope and Contents

Reproduction of a painting by Jean-Raymond-Hippolyte Lazerges, depicting two women at a well.
box 1, page 32 recto

Behya 20 Years 2001.R.20-32r

box 1, page 32 verso

Woman of Algiers 2001.R.20-32v

box 1, page 33 recto

Fatma, Yenja Girl, Also Known as Fatma, Daughter of France, Quarter of Sidi Abdallah 40, 15 Years Old 2001.R.20-33r

box 1, page 33 verso

Fatma, Daughter of France 2001.R.20-33v

box 1, page 34 recto

Fatma, Daughter of France 2001.R.20-34r

box 1, page 34 verso

Fatma of France 2001.R.20-34v

box 1, page 35 recto

Jawi, Daughter of Darmush, Neighborhood of Jemaa, Al-Mafrun, 23 Years Old 2001.R.20-35r

Scope and Contents

Judeo-Arabic caption: Joya, daughter of Darmush.
box 1, page 35 verso

Najma of Algeria 2001.R.20-35v

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic. Najma=star.
box 1, page 36 recto

[Young Woman] 2001.R.20-36r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic (not translated).
box 1, page 36 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-36v

box 1, page 37 recto

[Woman] 2001.R.20-37r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 37 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-37v

box 1, page 38 recto

[Woman] 2001.R.20-38r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 38 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-38v

box 1, page 39 recto

[Woman] 2001.R.20-39r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 39 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-39v

box 1, page 40 recto

Ashtar Daughter of Malili the Algerian 2001.R.20-40r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic. Esther?
box 1, page 40 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-40v

box 1, page 41 recto

Ashtar 2001.R.29-41r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 42 recto

"I Didn't Know Your Name at All..." 2001.R.20-42r

Scope and Contents

Title continues: I asked [?] and was told [it is] Zahri / From the day I knew you / you have dug my grave. Caption in Judeo-Arabic; possibly words of a song.
box 1, page 42 verso

[Blank page] 2001.R.20-42v

box 1, page 43 recto

Zahri 2001.R.20-43r

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 43 verso

People and Soldiers of Tunis 2001.R.20-43v

Scope and Contents

Four images: two of men,; two of women.
box 1, page 44 recto

Kabyle Woman 2001.R.20-44r

box 1, page 44 verso

Women of Tunisia 2001.R.20-44v

Scope and Contents

Four images; caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 45 recto

Woman of the Sahara 2001.R.20-45r

box 1, page 45 verso

A Tunisian Woman 2001.R.20-45v

Scope and Contents

Caption in Judeo-Arabic.
box 1, page 46 recto

Nai'li Women - Baraka and Zinja 2001.R.20-46r

Scope and Contents

Ouled Naïl women.
box 1, page 46 verso

Shop; Coffeehouse; Marketplace; Street in Tunisia 2001.R.20-46v

Scope and Contents

Four images.
box 1, page 47 recto

Baraka 2001.R.20-47r

box 1, page 47 verso

Blank page 2001.R.20-47v

box 1, page 48 recto

Zinja 2001.R.20-48r

box 1, page 48 verso

Algerian Woman 2001.R.20-48v

box 1, page 49 recto

The Kaid Ben Diriss 2001.R.20-49r

Scope and Contents

Of Ouargla?
box 1, page 49 verso

Chaouch Ben Diriss 2001.R.20-49v

Scope and Contents

A first-level administrator.
box 1, page 50 recto

Lioness of Sidi Ben Ouda Visiting Algiers 2001.R.20-50r

box 1, page 50 verso

Touareg Man 2001.R.20-50v

box 1, page 51 verso

Touareg Man 2001.R.20-51v