Mexican American Art Since 1848 (MAAS1848) �� First Photograph �� First Photograph �� Mexican American Art Since 1848

First Photograph

Title: First Photograph
Creator: Vargas, Kathy
Website: https://artist-encuentro.elevator.umn.edu/asset/viewAsset/6a8c5814f7f4d574f109953e
Description: This is Vargas’s first saved photograph from the 1970s and is part of a suite of three. Taken using an Instamatic camera, the subject (the artist’s neighbor) was seated at a window on the other side of a screen. The drapery situated on the left is reminiscent of 19th century photographic framing techniques. Gelatin silver print. Dimensions: 7 ½” x 8 ½”
Subject: Photography; Portraits; Texas--San Antonio; Visual quotation--19th century photography; African Americans; Chicana art
Date: 1971
Contributor: Kathy Vargas
Image: https://artist-encuentro.elevator.umn.edu/fileManager/bestDerivativeByFileId/6a8c58838aeffac19a00de7e
Collection: Summer 2026
Access Rights: © 1971, Kathy Vargas. This image may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the written consent of the artist. The image may be used for educational personal individual uses and with credit to the artist.