Edward Sheriff Curtis, Cayuse Mother and Child, 1911
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Edward Curtis was an American photographer who focused on photographing Native American people.
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2020-11-25T07:58:42-08:00
Edward Curtis was an American photographer who focused on photographing Native American people. He traveled for years, photographing dozens of different indigenous nations, in an attempt to show that their culture was at risk of “vanishing” with the expansion of white settlements. This one particular photo from his collection, The North American Indian, portrays a mother and her child, published in 1911. The mother and newborn child are posed directly in front of the camera, taking up most of the frame and space. Curtis placed them in an outdoor environment but made them pose as if they were in a studio. They are both wearing similar outfits that show their traditional symbols and patterns. The light from the sun is allowing us to see details of the subject’s facial expressions. The background is completely blurred, less detailed, and has a darker tone. This allows viewers to stay focused on the foreground, in an attempt to analyze and understand the culture.
