Skip to main content

Plains Collection (page 6)

The vast expanse of the plains has witnessed countless stories unfold throughout history

Background imagePlains Collection: Blue wildebeest herd traverses stream in dust

Blue wildebeest herd traverses stream in dust
Herd of blue wildebeest racing across water

Background imagePlains Collection: Blue wildebeest herd races across shallow river

Blue wildebeest herd races across shallow river

Background imagePlains Collection: Tawny eagle flies over savannah spreading wings

Tawny eagle flies over savannah spreading wings

Background imagePlains Collection: Panorama of Blue wildebeest standing in silhouette

Panorama of Blue wildebeest standing in silhouette
Panorama of blue wildebeest standing in silhouette

Background imagePlains Collection: Blue wildebeest herd enters river in dust

Blue wildebeest herd enters river in dust

Background imagePlains Collection: White-backed vulture turns head on topmost branch

White-backed vulture turns head on topmost branch

Background imagePlains Collection: Roping gray wolf, Cowboys take in a gray wolf on 'Round up, ' in Wyoming, 1887. Creator: John C

Roping gray wolf, Cowboys take in a gray wolf on "Round up, " in Wyoming, 1887. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Roping gray wolf, Cowboys take in a gray wolf on "Round up, " in Wyoming, 1887. Five cowboys on horses roping a wolf

Background imagePlains Collection: Round-up scenes on Belle Fouche [sic] in 1887, 1887. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

Round-up scenes on Belle Fouche [sic] in 1887, 1887. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Round-up scenes on Belle Fouche [sic] in 1887, 1887. Cowboys and cattle on range

Background imagePlains Collection: Picket Pin, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Picket Pin, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Picket Pin, c1907. Full-length portrait of Dakota man dressed in loin cloth holding buffalo skull

Background imagePlains Collection: Red Dog (Shunka Luta), c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Red Dog (Shunka Luta), c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Red Dog (Shunka Luta), c1907. Head-and-shoulders portrait of Dakota man

Background imagePlains Collection: Slow Bull, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Slow Bull, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Slow Bull, c1907. Dakota man standing outside tipi gazing upward

Background imagePlains Collection: Saliva, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Saliva, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Saliva, c1907. Dakota man with calumet kneeling by altar inside tipi

Background imagePlains Collection: Two Charger Woman, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Two Charger Woman, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Two Charger Woman, c1907. Full-length portrait of Brule Woman

Background imagePlains Collection: Red Elk Woman, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Red Elk Woman, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Red Elk Woman, c1907. Half-length portrait of Dakota woman

Background imagePlains Collection: The Clowns, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The Clowns, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The Clowns, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927

Background imagePlains Collection: Priests passing before the pipe-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Priests passing before the pipe-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Priests passing before the pipe-Cheyenne, c1910. Group of Cheyenne people, most seated in a semicircle during sun dance ceremony, woman in foreground is holding pipe, buffalo skull in foreground

Background imagePlains Collection: Sun dance in progress-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Sun dance in progress-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Sun dance in progress-Cheyenne, c1910

Background imagePlains Collection: Arikara Medicine Ceremony-The Ducks, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Arikara Medicine Ceremony-The Ducks, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Arikara Medicine Ceremony-The Ducks, c1908. Photo shows three Arikara men, members of the medicine fraternity, dancing, painted to represent ducks and holding rushes

Background imagePlains Collection: Offering pipe to the skull-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Offering pipe to the skull-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Offering pipe to the skull-Cheyenne, c1910. Woman offering pipe to buffalo skull, during sun dance ceremony

Background imagePlains Collection: Gray Dawn-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Gray Dawn-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Gray Dawn-Cheyenne, c1910. Sun dance lodge with Cheyenne people standing inside

Background imagePlains Collection: Crazy dancers-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Crazy dancers-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Crazy dancers-Cheyenne, c1910. Cheyenne dancers around stick tripod

Background imagePlains Collection: Before the final journey-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Before the final journey-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Before the final journey-Cheyenne, c1910. Cheyenne people gathered in open area, for Sun Dance ceremony; several tents and hills in background

Background imagePlains Collection: Chiefs in the Sun Dance parade-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Chiefs in the Sun Dance parade-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Chiefs in the Sun Dance parade-Cheyenne, c1927. Several Cheyenne chiefs on horseback in a row in an open field

Background imagePlains Collection: The Wolf, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The Wolf, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The Wolf, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927

Background imagePlains Collection: The plains of the Dakota-Sioux, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The plains of the Dakota-Sioux, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The plains of the Dakota-Sioux, c1905. Three Sioux Indians of horseback on plains with rock formation in background

Background imagePlains Collection: Yellow Bone woman, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Yellow Bone woman, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Yellow Bone woman, 1908, c1908. Indian family: woman and man in native dress holding baby

Background imagePlains Collection: Morning attack, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Morning attack, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Morning attack, c1907. Dakota Indians on horseback on plains

Background imagePlains Collection: In the land of the Sioux, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

In the land of the Sioux, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
In the land of the Sioux, c1905. Three Sioux Indians on horseback facing front by pond on plains

Background imagePlains Collection: Night medicine men, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Night medicine men, 1908, c1908. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Night medicine men, 1908, c1908. Photo shows Arikara medicine ceremony with four night men dancing

Background imagePlains Collection: Buffalo Society, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Buffalo Society, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Buffalo Society, animal dance-Cheyenne, c1927

Background imagePlains Collection: The march of the Sioux, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The march of the Sioux, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The march of the Sioux, c1905. Three Sioux Indians on horseback on plains with rock formations in background

Background imagePlains Collection: Cheyenne warriors, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Cheyenne warriors, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Cheyenne warriors, c1905. Three Cheyenne warriors on horseback

Background imagePlains Collection: Sun dance pledgers-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Sun dance pledgers-Cheyenne, c1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Sun dance pledgers-Cheyenne, c1910. Two young men in ceremonial paint

Background imagePlains Collection: Return of scouts-Cheyenne, C1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Return of scouts-Cheyenne, C1910. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Return of scouts-Cheyenne, C1910. Cheyene Indians riding horses

Background imagePlains Collection: The Prairie Chief, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The Prairie Chief, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The Prairie Chief, c1907. Sioux man on horseback in open field

Background imagePlains Collection: The Valley of the Rosebud, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

The Valley of the Rosebud, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
The Valley of the Rosebud, c1905. Photo shows a Cheyenne Indian, wearing war bonnet headdress, on horseback at a pool of water

Background imagePlains Collection: Day Woman, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Day Woman, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Day Woman, c1907. Head-and-Shoulders portrait of Dakota woman

Background imagePlains Collection: Cowboys, roping a buffalo on the plains, between 1887 and 1892. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

Cowboys, roping a buffalo on the plains, between 1887 and 1892. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Cowboys, roping a buffalo on the plains, between 1887 and 1892. Three cowboys on horses roping a buffalo

Background imagePlains Collection: US School for Indians at Pine Ridge, SD, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

US School for Indians at Pine Ridge, SD, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
US School for Indians at Pine Ridge, SD, 1891. Small Oglala tipi camp in front of large government school buildings in open field

Background imagePlains Collection: The Cow Boy, c1888. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

The Cow Boy, c1888. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
The Cow Boy, c1888. Showing side view of a cowboy on a horse, looking towards the camera

Background imagePlains Collection: Gen Miles and staff viewing the largest hostile Indian Camp in the US, near Pine... c1891

Gen Miles and staff viewing the largest hostile Indian Camp in the US, near Pine... c1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Gen Miles and staff viewing the largest hostile Indian Camp in the US, near Pine Ridge,s Dak, Jan 16, 1891, c1891. Seven military men on horseback viewing a Lakota camp from a distant hillside

Background imagePlains Collection: General Brook's Camp Camp near Pine Ridge SD, Jan 17, 1891, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

General Brook's Camp Camp near Pine Ridge SD, Jan 17, 1891, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
General Brook's Camp Camp near Pine Ridge SD, Jan 17, 1891, 1891. Military tent camp; tree in foreground, wooded hill in background

Background imagePlains Collection: At the dance Part of the 8th US Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian grass dance... 1890

At the dance Part of the 8th US Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian grass dance... 1890. Creator: John C. H
At the dance. Part of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian grass dance on reservation []. Group portrait of Big Foot's (Miniconjou)

Background imagePlains Collection: At the Dance Part of the 8th US Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian Grass Dance... 1890

At the Dance Part of the 8th US Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian Grass Dance... 1890. Creator: John C. H
At the Dance. Part of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and 3rd Infantry at the great Indian Grass Dance on Reservation []. Group portrait of Big Foot's (Miniconjou) band and federal military men

Background imagePlains Collection: The Great Hostile Camp, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

The Great Hostile Camp, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
The Great Hostile Camp, 1891. Bird's-eye view of a Lakota camp (several tipis and wagons in large field) probably on or near Pine Ridge Reservation

Background imagePlains Collection: Roundup scenes on Belle Fouche [sic] in 1887, 1887. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

Roundup scenes on Belle Fouche [sic] in 1887, 1887. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Roundup scenes on Belle Fouche [sic] in 1887, 1887. Cowboys seated around chuckwagon at campsite

Background imagePlains Collection: Hostile Indian camp, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill

Hostile Indian camp, 1891. Creator: John C. H. Grabill
Hostile Indian camp, 1891. Bird's-eye view of a large Lakota camp of tipis, horses, and wagons, probably on or near Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Background imagePlains Collection: Agichida, Assiniboin, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis

Agichida, Assiniboin, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Agichida, Assiniboin, c1927. Photograph shows Agichida, an Assiniboine Indian, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left




For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

The vast expanse of the plains has witnessed countless stories unfold throughout history. From Native American attacks on western stagecoaches to the intricate details etched on Earth's topographic and bathymetric maps, these wide-open spaces hold a multitude of tales. In the late 1800s, as settlers ventured westward, a stagecoach traversing the plains fell victim to a fierce Native American attack. The clash between cultures left an indelible mark on this untamed land. Amongst the warriors who fought valiantly were legendary figures such as Cheyenne Chief Two Moons and Sioux leader Sitting Bull. Their photographs captured by Edward S. Curtis in 1910 serve as powerful reminders of their strength and resilience. Another influential figure emerged from these plains - Quanah Parker, a Kwahadi Comanche leader who defied all odds. His photograph taken around 1895 showcases his regal presence and unwavering determination. As settlements began to dot the landscape, Fort Dearborn stood tall on what would become Chicago's site. It served as both protection and symbolized conflicts between indigenous peoples and incoming settlers. During times of peril, like when buffalo soldiers charged to rescue those in need or when Mormons found themselves caught in prairie blizzards en route to Utah, bravery prevailed against nature's wrath. While elephants may seem out of place amidst these narratives, they too have roamed across vast grasslands akin to the plains – their majestic presence reminding us that beauty knows no bounds or borders. Hollow Horn Bear stands proudly among Sioux Indian chiefs whose legacies are intertwined with this expansive terrain. Their wisdom echoes through generations even today. Not limited solely to North America, Australia also boasts its own breathtaking version of these open spaces captured vividly in satellite images – showcasing yet another facet of our planet's diverse landscapes. Lastly, we cannot forget about the fur trade era where flintlock pistols played a pivotal role.