Edward S. Curtis is arguably the most influential photographer of the American West. His work unquestionably ranks among that of the most important photographers of the 20th century.
Curtis was first and foremost; an extremely gifted and sophisticated artist whose work had the duality of being an incredible artistic creation at the same time as being a document of a people. He was uniquely able to create, out of whole cloth, a lasting vision of the American Indian that never existed before it was first seen through his photographic lens.
Edward Curtis produced images of the American Indian that convey a dignity, a universal humanity and a certain remaining majesty that transcend literally all other work ever done on the subject. In his photographs we see images that are uniquely able to stand alone in the world of photography.
Beginning in 1898 and continuing through 1928, Curtis dedicated his life to documenting the traditional lifeways and cultures of 128 American Indian tribes living west of the Mississippi River, from Alaska to the Mexican border.
Curtis was a genius of an artist possessed by a singular obsession to preserve the traditional lifeways of the American Indian.
Astonishingly, focusing all his immense talents over a staggering 30-year period, Curtis accomplished what he set out to do; he did save the traditional lifeways of these Native Peoples but at tremendous personal cost. It cost him his marriage, it cost him his health, and it cost him any possible financial stability he might ever have had.
In spite of all this, he persevered and left a body of work never to be equaled in the field of photography.
Find authentic Edward S. Curtis photography on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Bruce Kapson Gallery)
Edward S. Curtis Original Photogravure Mosa Mohave The North American Indian
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and very coveted original large-format photogravure by iconic American photographer Edward Curtis (1868-1952) titled "Mosa Mohave" Of this image Curtis noted “It would b...
Wood, Paper
Edward S. Curtis Original Signed Stamped Platinum Photograph Hopi Weaver, 1899
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Studio City, CA
An original platinum print on textured paper by iconic American photographer Edward Curtis titled "Hopi Weaver"(sometimes known as "The Weaver"). Curtis was famed for his work with the Native American peoples of the American West at the turn of the century. This image features a male Hopi elder weaving a blanket - an exclusively masculine occupation at the time. This platinum print is hand-signed in ink, blind-stamped with Curtis' embossed studio copyright stamp, and dated 1899. The negative number ("X 743") can possibly also be imperceptibly/faintly seen written by Curtis on the lower-left edge. The photo is mounted on a single, handmade lightweight paper typical of other mounted Curtis photos...
Wood, Paper
Edward S Curtis Original Signed Stamped Silver Border Photograph Prayer to Stars
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Studio City, CA
An original gelatin silver border photograph print by iconic American photographer Edward Curtis (1868-1952) famed for his North American Indian Portfolios. This work is titled "Pra...
Paper
Jon Rhodes Signed Limited Ed Australian Aboriginal Art Silver Gelatin Photograph
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, singular silver gelatin photographic print by renowned Australian photographer/artist titled "Uta Uta Tjangala's camp at Yayayi Bore, 1973" The one-off, unique work is hand pencil signed, titled, dated (printed in 1991), and numbered (1/1) by Rhodes in the lower margin. Jon Rhodes was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales in 1947. before moving at a young age to Brisbane, Queensland. He took up photography in the late 60s which eventually led him to documentary work as an assistant cinematographer in countries such as Australia, Papua New Guinea, and India where he developed his cinematic approach to photography. It was also in the 1970s that he began his collaborative work with the Indigenous Australian Aboriginal Peoples. Today Rhodes is widely viewed as a pioneer in bringing a high-art approach to documenting the lives of Aboriginal People living in remote communities. Rhodes's work can be found in numerous major Australian collections and prominent museums including: The Art Gallery Of New South Wales, Sydney The Museum of Australian Photography...
Wood, Paper
Female Nude Sepia Black and White Photograph In The Manner of Ruth Bernhard
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, very alluring sepia-toned silver gelatin photograph of a nude woman in a pose quite reminiscent of Ruth Bernhard's photo Spanish Dancer. Wonderfully designed and printe...
Wood, Paper
Jon Rhodes Signed Limited Ed Australian Aboriginal Art Silver Gelatin Photograph
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, singular silver gelatin photographic print by renowned Australian photographer/artist titled "Uta Uta Tjangala and Yala Yala Tjungurrayi Gibbs at Yumari Rockhole, 1990" The one-off, unique work is hand pencil signed, titled, dated (printed in 1991), and numbered (1/1) by Rhodes in the lower margin. Jon Rhodes was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales in 1947. before moving at a young age to Brisbane, Queensland. He took up photography in the late 60s which eventually led him to documentary work as an assistant cinematographer in countries such as Australia, Papua New Guinea, and India where he developed his cinematic approach to photography. It was also in the 1970s that he began his collaborative work with the Indigenous Australian Aboriginal Peoples. Today Rhodes is widely viewed as a pioneer in bringing a high-art approach to documenting the lives of Aboriginal People living in remote communities. Rhodes's work can be found in numerous major Australian collections and prominent museums including: The Art Gallery Of New South Wales, Sydney The Museum of Australian Photography...
Wood, Paper
Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) Scarce Sepia Photogravure Titled Tsipiai - Sia
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Sepia photogravure titled "Tsipiai - Sia" depicting native women engaged in pottery making. The photogravure is titled lower left "Tsipiai - Sia". Printed under the photogravure "Fro...
Acrylic, Wood, Paper
Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) Scarce Sepia Photogravure Titled "Zuni Pottery"
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Sepia photogravure titled "Zuni Pottery" depicting a collection of Zuni pottery on the ground set against a stone wall. The photogravure is titled lower l...
Acrylic, Wood, Paper
Edward S. Curtis, The Potter-Santa Clara, Photogravure 1905
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Edward S. Curtis (1868 - 1952) The Potter Santa Clara. Photogravure on handmade Dutch "Van Gelder" paper stock. Numbered in plate, upper left: Plate 602. Titled in plate, lower...
Paper
Edward S. Curtis Native American Print “A Primitive Quinalt", John Andrew & Sons
Located in Big Flats, NY
81232-FW Quinalt” Signed C1912 (26 1/2" x 20" x 1/4"). This is an antique print titled 'A Primitive Quinalt' by Edward S. Curtis, a renowned photographer known for his extensi...
Paper
Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) Scarce Sepia Photogravure Titled "Cree Boatwomen"
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Sepia photogravure titled "Cree Boatwomen" depicting Native American women in boat on a lake. The photogravure is titled lower left "Cree Boatwomen". Printed under the photogravure "...
Acrylic, Wood, Paper
Edward S Curtis (1868-1952) An Isleta Man, 1925
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in CA, CA
Edward S Curtis (1868-1952) Title: An Isleta Man Plate: 549 Portfolio: Volume 16 Printer: Suffolk Eng. Co. Cambridge Mass Medium: Photogravure Date: 1925 Dimensions: Sheet: W 17 ¾...
Paper
