The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 7, 2026

A vertically oriented black-and-white photograph depicts Jean-Bedel Bokassa, a Black man with a short beard. Shown from the waist up, he faces forward with eyes nearly closed and lips curved in a subtle smile. He raises his right hand, three fingers extended upward. His dark jacket is heavily adorned with metallic, star-shaped medals. Behind him, two figures with dark skin wear sunglasses; one is wrapped in a white headwrap.

"Bokassa the First" Emperor of the Central African Empire: the 55 year old Jean Bedel Bokassa, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the Central African Empire, is the ruler of this nation of 2.5 million citizens, who flourishes in ceremonies and pomp. In this photograph, he is wearing part of the 1,000 medals and decorations that he has collected in his reign. Central African Republic, December 1, 1970

1970

Guy Le Querrec

(French, b. 1941)
France
gelatin silver print
Image: 21.4 x 14.5 cm (8 7/16 x 5 11/16 in.); With black border: 21.9 x 14.9 cm (8 5/8 x 5 7/8 in.); Paper: 23.8 x 17.8 cm (9 3/8 x 7 in.)
Gift of George Stephanopoulos 2018.520
Location: Not on view
  • {{cite web|title="Bokassa the First" Emperor of the Central African Empire: the 55 year old Jean Bedel Bokassa, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the Central African Empire, is the ruler of this nation of 2.5 million citizens, who flourishes in ceremonies and pomp. In this photograph, he is wearing part of the 1,000 medals and decorations that he has collected in his reign. Central African Republic, December 1, 1970|url=false|author=Guy Le Querrec|year=1970|access-date=07 October 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.520