Bow River--Blackfoot, 1926
Edward S. Curtisexpand_more
Photogravureexpand_more
Gift of Joe Langerexpand_more 87.60.29
Not on Viewexpand_more
Edward Curtis opened a photographic studio in the early 1890s at a time when Native Americans had lost most of their native lands. Curtis cast himself as an ethnographer yet, in reality, he was posing his subjects, often providing historical costumes and dressing them up to look like "authentic" warriors and chiefs.
Seemingly motivated to capture the image of a "Vanishing America," he created images of men whose people, by this time, had been brutally massacred, betrayed by governmental treaties, and relocated to inferior and isolated reservations.
These aesthetic simulations provided generations with a romanticized image of Native Americans. They continue to be sold to audiences today whose perception of 'Indianness' is often based on the stereotypes that Curtis helped to create.
Details
- Title
- Bow River--Blackfoot
- Artist Life
- 1868-1952
- Role
- Photographer
- Accession Number
- 87.60.29
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.