Minister and His Wife

"Minister and His Wife, South Coast, Natal, 1949." Original caption by Constance Stuart Larrabee. "A Natal minister and his wife walking beside the Indian Ocean." The prior inscription is found on the back of a related fiber-based photograph, written by Constance Stuart Larrabee. This photograph is taken from the rear of the minister and his wife. She is holding a basket on her head while he is carrying a briefcase on a stick. Photograph by Constance Stuart Larrabee, Feb. 1949.

This photograph was taken when Constance Stuart was on assignment for Harper's Bazaar, an American magazine. Her task was to create a portfolio inspired by the seminal book "Cry, The Beloved Country," which had brought the conditions in South Africa to the attention of the world. The author of the book was the South African writer Alan Paton (1903-1988). It was published in the United States in 1948. Alan Paton accompanied her on the assignment. In June 1949, Harper's Bazaar published an essay by Alan Paton entitled "A Letter from South Africa in which Alan Paton Guides you to his Corner of the 'Beloved Country'." Six photographs by Constance Stuart accompany the essay.

There are no prints of this negative in the Constance Stuart Larrabee Collection. EEPA produced an 8x10 study print for reference purposes.