Widow since the age of 12 returns to her room after spending the day praying at her ashram in Vrindavan.
India,1995.
Magnum Photos, PAR118827, MCS1996002 K106.

An important part of the experience of this photograph takes place outside the frame. McCurry tells the story in slide lectures about his work. The context of the image, McCurry notes, is a continuation of the dignity and endurance that one surmises from the image itself. The woman in the picture has been a...
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Widow since the age of 12 returns to her room after spending the day praying at her ashram in Vrindavan.
India,1995.
Magnum Photos, PAR118827, MCS1996002 K106.

An important part of the experience of this photograph takes place outside the frame. McCurry tells the story in slide lectures about his work. The context of the image, McCurry notes, is a continuation of the dignity and endurance that one surmises from the image itself. The woman in the picture has been a widow for seventy years, her husband dying when she was 14 years old. Living in a community of widows since that time, she has made a living as one commissioned to pray for others. After he made her picture, the lady invited McCurry for tea. He was impressed that, perhaps because of her prayers to another realm, she lives joyfully, showing no sign of sorrow or resentment.
-Anthony Bannon
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