Collection of 848 color inkjet photographs taken by Rebecca Matlock while traveling and living in countries around the world, with a special focus on landscapes, churches and other buildings, and all aspects of society and culture. There are also approximately 100 printed items. Over half of the collection features images from the former Soviet Union during the Gorbachev administration (1980s-1990s), including Central Asia, the Republic of Buryatia, the Ukraine, and Moscow. Many notable individuals appear, including the Gorbachevs, Reagans, Bushes, Shevardnadzes, secretaries of state, and military officials. Other subjects of portraits include artists, writers, and religious leaders in the Soviet Union; one small series is given to dissident and scientist Andrei Sakharov. Other places and events include: the Republic of Georgia and Tbilisi during and after the civil war; the Czech Republic; the Middle East; the wall dividing Jerusalem; the fall of the Berlin Wall; and Peru. There are smaller series from the Baltic States, France, Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, and other places. An additional series offers portraits of conductor and opera director Sarah Caldwell. There is also a series of abstract images. Most of the prints in the collection were exhibited in the U.S. and other places abroad; thus there are some printed materials related to exhibits and lectures.
Matlock was especially interesteed in documenting the people she encountered in her travels, on the street as well as in restaurants, shopping districts, and at home. Following from her interest in architecture, the arts, and literature, many images have as their subjects artists, writers, editors, and dancers, as well as architecture, modern artwork and traditional crafts.
The Russia and Other Regions series is significant for its often informal and intimate depictions of notable individuals associated with the Matlocks' activities as American ambassadors in Russia: these include Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, George H. W. and Barbara Bush, Eduard Sheverdnadze, along with several secretaries of state, career politicians, military officials, and religious leaders. Other subjects include artists, editors, writers, and scientists, with one small series devoted entirely to dissident and scientist Andrei Sakharov.
Other notable foreign leaders appear in the Middle East series group entitled "Middle East Leaders," while they attended various meetings and conferences at which the Matlocks were present.
The color prints fall into two size groups: 11x14 and 8x10 inches, with some variability. Almost all the larger prints are housed in thin white window mats and are typically inkjet or laser printed, some at a later date than when they were originally taken.
Most of the prints in the collection were exhibited in the U.S. and abroad; thus, there is a small amount of print materials in the Papers Series related to exhibits and lectures, such as caption cards, title panels, and fliers as well as a Russian magazine, OGONET (1989), with an article about her photography, in Russian.
