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)
Tsaassi - Mis - Salla (Crow with Necklace) - Sarsi
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 618 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
East Mesa Girls, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis East Mesa Girls, 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #427, The North American Indian, on ...
Photogravure
Walpi Architecture, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Walpi Architecture 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #421, The North American Indian, o...
Photogravure
$800Sale Price|55% Off
Whaling Crew - Cape Prince of Wales, pl. 709
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Denton, TX
Printed plate number, Curtis's title, date, copyright, and photogravures by John Andrews and Son on recto. Photogravure on Holland Van Gelder tissue Known for his remarkable documen...
Photogravure
A Hopi Woman, 1905
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis A Hopi Woman 1905 Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #411, The North American Indian, on Japa...
Photogravure
Oksoyapiw - Blackfoot
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 639 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Edward S. Curtis Rae Master Exhibition Platinum Print, 'End Of Day, ' 1904
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare vintage Edward S. Curtis Master Exhibition Platinum Print appearing on the distinctive Curtis Studio Seattle triple mount produced by Curtis only for exclusive display presentat...
Platinum
Soyaksin - Blood
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 651 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Moss for the Baby - Bags Cree
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 625 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Kindling Fire - Assiniboin
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 631 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Cheyenne Sua-Dance Lodge
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 660 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Apio-Mita(White Dog)-Blood
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 648 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
$900Sale Price|50% Off
Launching the Whaleboat - Cape Prince of Wales, pl. 707
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Denton, TX
Printed plate number, Curtis's title, date, copyright, and photogravures by John Andrews and Son on recto. Photogravure on Holland Van Gelder tissue Known for his remarkable documen...
Photogravure
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
Nungoktôk - Noatak, pl. 719
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Denton, TX
Printed plate number, Curtis's title, date, copyright, and photogravures by John Andrews and Son on recto. Photogravure on Holland Van Gelder tissue Known for his remarkable documentation of Native Americans in the early twentieth century, Edward S. Curtis, chronicled over 80 different tribes in the Southwest, the Great Plains...
Photogravure
Wichita Grass House
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 654 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Stsimaki (Reluctant - to - be - Woman) - Blood
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 650 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Lucero - Santo Domingo
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 557 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
John Abbott - Osage
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Original Photogravure - Plate 680 Comes with a gorgeous Burl Wood frame, images upon request.
Photogravure
Buffalo Dance At Hano, 1904
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Buffalo Dance At Hano 1904 Photogravure Print Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #401, The North ...
Photogravure
The Potter Mixing Clay, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis The Potter Mixing Clay 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #419, The North American I...
Photogravure
Mishongnovi, 1900
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Mishongnovi 1900 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #435, The North American Indian, on Japan...
Photogravure
Return With The Willows - Piegan, 1910
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Return With The Willows - Piegan 1910 Photogravure Print 9 x 12 inches Vintage small format Curtis Volume Photogravure, Volume 6, The North American Indian, on Japa...
Photogravure
Chaiwa - Tewa - Profile, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Chaiwa - Tewa - Profile 1921 Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #415, The North American Indi...
Photogravure
Snake Dancers Entering The Plaza, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Snake Dancers Entering The Plaza 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12...
Photogravure
A Gem Of Basketry - Southern Yokuts
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis A Gem Of Basketry - Southern Yokuts 1924 Hand Colored Photogravure 12 x 9 inches Vintage small format Curtis Volume Photogravure, Volume 13, The North American Ind...
Photogravure
Counting The Record, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Counting The Record 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #413, The North American Indian, ...
Photogravure
The Water Carriers, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis The Water Carriers 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate ...
Photogravure
Looking Out To Sea, King Island, 1928
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Looking Out To Sea, King Island 1928 Hand Colored Volume Photogravure 12 x 9 inches Vintage small format rare Curtis Hand-Colored ...
Photogravure
Flute Dancers At Tureva Springs, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Flute Dancers At Tureva Springs 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #431, The North Ameri...
Photogravure
The Piki Maker, 1906
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis The Piki Maker 1906 Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #432, The North American Indian, o...
Photogravure