Woman of Martinique

A very fine carte-de-visite portrait of an elderly black woman of Martinique, resplendent in a striped turban, earrings and necklaces. An inked inscription verso in a period hand reads: ‘Type de négresse / Martinique.’

Situated in the Caribbean Sea, the island of Martinique is an overseas department of France. It is therefore a part of the European Union and its currency today is the euro. Most of Martinique's population is descended from African slaves brought to work on sugar plantations during the colonial era, generally mixed with some French, Amerindian, Indian (Tamil), Lebanese or Chinese elements.

Photographer unidentified, but probably Hartmann of Martinique.