Manning an isolated post on a rocky mountainside in Italy, this Moroccan soldier of the French forces has the companionship of a dead German, 1942-1945
Vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver print on paper
Creation Place:
Europe
Technique:
Photography
Credit Line:
Restricted gift of Michael Mattis, Judy Hochberg, Fernando Barnuevo and Gloria Ybarra
Accession Number:
P2020.6.55
Provenance
Purchased by the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College on August 12, 2020 from Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York.
Commentary
Poor Company For Lonely Soldier: Manning an isolated post on a rocky mountainside in Italy, this Moroccan soldier of the French forces has the companionship of a dead German, who lies on the ground near his foxhole. Moroccan and Algerian units form part of the French forces now fighting side by side with the Allies in the battle of Italy. The Moroccan Goumiers were indigenous Moroccan soldiers who served in auxiliary units attached to the French Army of Africa, between 1908 and 1956. While nominally in the service of the Sultan of Morocco, they served under French officers. The Goumiers were employed extensively during the French occupation of Morocco from 1908 to the early 1930s. They served in Italy and France during World War II, between 1942 and 1945. The 3rd Algerian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Army of Africa which participated in World War II. Following the liberation of French North Africa (November 10, 1942), the division fought in Tunisia, Italy, metropolitan France and in Germany.
Technique
Ferrotyped prints are processed in such a way that they are shiny. The print has a sensitive surface, usually thinner, because it was put through a press while still wet.
Marks
On recto: Label in bottom right corner, "DISPATCH / PHOTO NEWS / SERVICE / INC. / NEW YORK". On verso: Typewritten label attached in center, "POOR COMPANY FOR LONELY SOLDIER / Manning an isolated post on a rocky mountainside in Italy, this Moroccan soldier of the / French forces has the companionship of a dead German, who lies on the ground near / his foxhole. Moroccan and Algerian units form part of the French forces now fighting / side by side with the Allies in the battle of Italy. Produced Exclusively by Dispatch Photo News Service, New York City". Handwritten in graphite in top left corner, "DP-WW2-055".
Materials
Ferrotyped prints have a sensitive surface, usually shiny and thinner, because they are put through a press while still wet. Ferrotyping makes the surface of the photograph smoother. Light does not scatter as much on a smoother surface, so this increases contrast. That makes ferrotyped images better for press photography.
Keywords
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This object has the following keywords:
Corpses,
Death,
Germany,
Italian Campaign,
Italy,
Killed in action,
Moroccan Gourmiers,
Mountains,
Sentries,
Soldiers,
Third Algerian Infantry Division,
World War II
- Corpses
- Death
- Germany
- Italian Campaign
- Italy
- Killed in action
- Moroccan Gourmiers
- Mountains
- Sentries
- Soldiers
- Third Algerian Infantry Division
- World War II
Additional Images
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Portfolio List
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For further inquiries, contact Associate Director/Registrar Steve Comba at steven.comba@pomona.edu.
For further inquiries, contact Associate Director/Registrar Steve Comba at steven.comba@pomona.edu.