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Edwards Curtis Collection

Edward S. Curtis: Capturing the Essence of Indigenous Cultures Step into the captivating world of Edward S

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Before the storm, c1906. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Before the storm, c1906. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Before the storm, c1906. Four Apaches on horseback under storm clouds

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: An Eskimo muskrat hunter paddling through the marsh, Kotzebue, Alaska, c. 1929 (b/w photo)

An Eskimo muskrat hunter paddling through the marsh, Kotzebue, Alaska, c. 1929 (b/w photo)
7315335 An Eskimo muskrat hunter paddling through the marsh, Kotzebue, Alaska, c.1929 (b/w photo) by Curtis, Edward Sheriff (1868-1952) ; Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Indians of America: Portrait of Indian Chief

Indians of America: Portrait of Indian Chief
JLJ4595639 Indians of America: Portrait of Indian Chief by Curtis, Edward Sheriff (1868-1952) ; Musee du Nouveau Monde, La Rochelle, France; (add.info.: Indians of America: portrait of Indian chief)

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: A Hopi Man, 1921. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

A Hopi Man, 1921. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
A Hopi Man, 1921

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Northwest Coast, c.1927. Female portrait

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: The Three Chiefs-Piegan, Printed 1900. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The Three Chiefs-Piegan, Printed 1900. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The Three Chiefs-Piegan, Printed 1900

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Northwest Coast, c.1927. Man standing next to shelter of Northwest Coast Indians. From The North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: My Father. E. Curtis, inventor of Gold Tone Process, at Our Home In Seattle, 1880s, (1920s)

My Father. E. Curtis, inventor of Gold Tone Process, at Our Home In Seattle, 1880s, (1920s)
My Father. E. Curtis, inventor of Gold Tone Process, at Our Home In Seattle, Washington, 1880s, (1920s)

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Mom and Dad Curtis, c1880s, (1920s). Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Mom and Dad Curtis, c1880s, (1920s). Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Mom and Dad Curtis, c1880s, (1920s)

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Mom and Dad on their Anniversary, c1880s, (1920s). Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Mom and Dad on their Anniversary, c1880s, (1920s). Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Mom and Dad on their Anniversary, c1880s, (1920s)

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Hollywood Portrait, 1920s. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Hollywood Portrait, 1920s. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Hollywood Portrait, 1920s. Man with hat

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Northwest Coast, c.1927. Indians in boat

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Northwest Coast, c.1927. Indians launching a boat

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Jukok, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Jukok, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Jukok, Nunivak, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Shrine and Effigies of the Elder War-God on Corn Mountain-Zuni, 1925. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Shrine and Effigies of the Elder War-God on Corn Mountain-Zuni, 1925. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Shrine and Effigies of the Elder War-God on Corn Mountain-Zuni, 1925

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Shrine of Yellow Cloud Man on Tsikumu-Tewa, 1925. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Shrine of Yellow Cloud Man on Tsikumu-Tewa, 1925. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Shrine of Yellow Cloud Man on Tsikumu-Tewa, 1925

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Island of the Dead Wisham, From The North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis. 1909

Island of the Dead Wisham, From The North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis. 1909. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Island of the Dead Wisham, From The North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis. 1909

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Procession of San Estevan-Acoma, 1904. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Procession of San Estevan-Acoma, 1904. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Procession of San Estevan-Acoma, 1904

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Waterproof Parkas, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Waterproof Parkas, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Waterproof Parkas, Nunivak, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Aiyak, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Aiyak, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Aiyak, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Dahchihtok, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Dahchihtok, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Dahchihtok, Nunivak, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Nunivak Youth, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Nunivak Youth, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Nunivak Youth, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Hooper Bay Man, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Hooper Bay Man, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Hooper Bay Man, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Ukowuhhuh, Hooper Bay, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Ukowuhhuh, Hooper Bay, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Ukowuhhuh, Hooper Bay, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Siluk, Diomede, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Siluk, Diomede, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Siluk, Diomede, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Koaninok, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Koaninok, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Koaninok, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: White Weasel-Ponca, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

White Weasel-Ponca, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
White Weasel-Ponca, 1927

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Wapistan ('Marten')-Cree, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Wapistan ('Marten')-Cree, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Wapistan ('Marten')-Cree, 1926

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Nasurethur-Chipewyan, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Nasurethur-Chipewyan, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Nasurethur-Chipewyan, 1926

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: A Washo Woman, 1924. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

A Washo Woman, 1924. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
A Washo Woman, 1924

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Old Woman Mourning-Yuki, 1924. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Old Woman Mourning-Yuki, 1924. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Old Woman Mourning-Yuki, 1924

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: A Clayoguot Woman, 1915. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

A Clayoguot Woman, 1915. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
A Clayoguot Woman, 1915

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Warrior's Scalp Head-Dress-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Warrior's Scalp Head-Dress-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Warrior's Scalp Head-Dress-Cowichan, 1912

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Cheyenne Matron, 1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Cheyenne Matron, 1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Cheyenne Matron, 1910

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Cheyenne Female Type, 1911. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Cheyenne Female Type, 1911. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Cheyenne Female Type, 1911

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: A Nootka Belle, 1915. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

A Nootka Belle, 1915. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
A Nootka Belle, 1915

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Cowichan Housefront, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Cowichan Housefront, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Cowichan Housefront, 1912. Facade of Cowichan dwelling

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Qamutsun Village-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Qamutsun Village-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Qamutsun Village-Cowichan, 1912

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Gathering Tules-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Gathering Tules-Cowichan, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Gathering Tules-Cowichan, 1912

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Drying Walrus Hide, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Drying Walrus Hide, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Drying Walrus Hide, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: A Primitive Camp, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

A Primitive Camp, 1912. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
A Primitive Camp, 1912

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Oksiwik, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Oksiwik, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Oksiwik, Cape Prince of Wales, 1928

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Untitled, between 1919 and 1925. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Untitled, between 1919 and 1925. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Untitled, between 1919 and 1925. Hula girl

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Self-Portrait, Printed c.1930. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Self-Portrait, Printed c.1930. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Self-Portrait, Printed c.1930

Background imageEdwards Curtis Collection: Interior of Wichita grass-house, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Interior of Wichita grass-house, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Interior of Wichita grass-house, 1927




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Edward S. Curtis: Capturing the Essence of Indigenous Cultures Step into the captivating world of Edward S. Curtis, a renowned photographer and ethnologist who dedicated his life to preserving the rich heritage of Native American tribes. Through his lens, he captured moments that transcend time and offer a glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary people. In Kotzebue, Alaska, circa 1929, we witness an Eskimo muskrat hunter gracefully paddling through a marsh. The serenity of this scene is mirrored in our hearts as we contemplate the harmony between man and nature. Moving further south to encounter an Indian Chief from one of America's indigenous communities, we are struck by their regal presence. Curtis masterfully portrays their strength and dignity in every line etched on their weathered face. Traveling along the Selawik River in another timeless black-and-white photograph from 1929, we find ourselves immersed in a landscape where tranquility reigns supreme, and is here that Curtis captures not only nature's beauty but also its profound connection with those who call it home. Venturing deeper into history, we meet Wolf - Apsaroke (Absaroke), an Indian warrior whose gaze reflects both resilience and wisdom. This image comes from volume four of Curtis' encyclopedia on North American Indians – a monumental work endorsed by none other than Theodore Roosevelt himself. Our journey takes us to Arizona next, where young Qahatika girls reside just beyond Pimas Reserve. In volume two of Curtis' collection, these desert Indians come alive before our eyes – vibrant symbols of cultural diversity amidst arid landscapes. Black Eagle emerges from Dakota's plains; at only thirteen years old during his first war expedition in 1834 near Williston South Dakota – he embarked on a path destined for greatness or obscurity? Only history knows what became of this brave soul.