His work today: Edward S. Curtis conclusions Images by Edward S. Curtis are still being pushed out into the world. There are many inexpensive prints available. In the last presentation of the Curtis Fever series, Dr. Julia Dolan wondered what Edward S. Curtis conclusions would be over this citywide event. She wondered what the tribes … Continue reading Edward S. Curtis Conclusions – Pt. 9

Edward S. Curtis discovery surprise It was assumed that all of Edward S. Curtis’ photogravure copper plates were lost or destroyed. It’s common practice to destroy the plates after the initial printing so more can’t be made. However, many were sold to the Charles E. Lauriat Company in Boston. In 1972, decades after he passed … Continue reading Edward S. Curtis Discovery & Events Pt. 8

A 1914 film by Edward S. Curtis In 1914, Edward S. Curtis’ film, In the Land of the Head-Hunters, featuring the Kwakiutl tribe, was shown to theater audiences. He worked on the film with George Hunt, an adopted member of the tribe. Hunt had been indispensable when he had worked for anthropologist Franz Boaz. The Kwakiutl … Continue reading Edward S. Curtis’ Film – In the Land of the Head-Hunters – Pt. 6

Marriage, children, & divorce Edward S. Curtis married Clara S. Phillips in 1892 and they had four children together. His photography work took him away from home for long periods of time. Due to his long absences and the financial drain on the business, Clara divorced him in 1916 and gained full custody of their … Continue reading Edward S. Curtis’ life of twists & turns Pt. 5

Edward S. Curtis’ mission Curtis decided to make it his life mission to document the tribes of North America. He thought they were on the point of vanishing. At one point he went to the Smithsonian to ask for financing but they told him, “We have experts here; some have even been to Indian country”. They … Continue reading Edward S. Curtis’ Mission – A History (continued) Pt. 4

From birth to a budding photographer Edward S. Curtis was born in Wisconsin in 1868. Two years before he was born, the Indian Wars were taking place. There were 200 battles in an eleven-year period. His father, Reverend Asahel “Johnson” Curtis, served in the military but was injured in the Civil War. He worked as … Continue reading Edward S. Curtis History – Childhood to Businessman Pt. 3

Artistic influences The North American Indian books include many photographs and the larger size portfolios contain additional images. The images are never referred to in the text. Edward S. Curtis photo techniques sometimes involved waiting weeks to capture the right image. He was aware of the effect photographing from different angles would have on the … Continue reading Edward S. Curtis Photo Techniques & Artistic Movements Pt. 2

There is controversy surrounding Edward Curtis’ work. Some think the photos were staged and that they degraded and dehumanized the people into mere caricatures. Some think he dressed the people portrayed in a certain way; others say they actually dressed in the clothing they wished to be photographed in. Oftentimes they are portrayed wearing traditional … Continue reading Controversy surrounding Edward Curtis & documentary – Pt. 7