Graciela Iturbide as Anthropological Photographer

This article is a reflection on the images of Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide. Focusing on her portraits of indigenous peoples of Mexico (particularly the Seri, Isthmus Zapotec, and Mixtec), the author addresses the anthropological value of a body of visual material that is artistic, rather than documentary, in conception and execution. The article inquires into whether and to what extent the images of a professional photographer such as Iturbide can be considered ethnographic. In essence, the author argues, Iturbide may be thought of as an anthropological photographer, given that her work is of educational and inspirational value to ethnographers of Mexico.