This vintage real photo postcard features two young woman photographed by a studio in Maras, Turkey. Before 1973, the city was named Kahramanmaras. Maras was part of the Ottoman Empire. During War I the empire allied with Germany. In 1919, post war, Maras was occupied by British, and later, French troops. After the “Battle of Marash” (1920), the Turkish National Movement took control. The Battle of Marash was fought between the Turkish National Forces and French forces occupying Maras. It was first major battle of the Turkish War for Independence. The battle caused the French to retreat and abandon Maras. A consequence of the withdrawal of French troops was the Turkish massacre of Armenian refugees who were just repatriated to Maras following the Armenian Genocide. It is believed that between 5,000 and 12,000 Armenians were killed in Maras after the withdrawal. According to the stamp on the reverse of the card, this postcard photograph was taken in 1922. One wonders if the two women/girls seen in this image are Armenian or Turkish. If they are Armenian, imagine how traumatized they must have been considering it was only two years after the massacre occurred. The subjects of this photo are a study in contrast. The girl in the dark dress shows a lot of emotion. She looks troubled or frightened. The woman dressed in the light dress appears void of emotion. Her affect seems very flat. The pair are posed standing on a pretty rug with a background of another rug. I have never seen a photo portrait staged this way. (SOLD)
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 