Edward Curtis

Early Life

Edward Curtis was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin

Was raised in poverty due to father being unable to properly manage the farm due to war injuries.

Left school at sixth grade and built his own camera.

Began his career as an aprentice photographer in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Early Career

 In 1887, Edward purchased a new camera and became a partner in an existing photographic studio with Rasmus Rothi.

His first photographs of Princess Angeline, a Native American princess, won him many connections which kicked off his career.

Curtis later photographs of various Native Americans won him many admirers and partnerships.

Most of his photographs were from the Blackfeet Indians.

Photography

Photography

Photography

Photography

Legacy

He is known for his albums the The North American Indian and In the Land of the Head Hunters.

He has photographed over 40,000 images of over 80 different American tribes.

Sold his albums to the Museum of Natural History.

In his later life he settled down with his family in Los Angeles and opened up his own photo studio.

Controversy

Though his photographs of the many Native American tribes are legendary, his portrayal of them has received much criticism.

Curtis photographs have been criticized to portray them as stereotypes such as a “vanishing primitive savage race”.

This was at a time when Native Americans were being denied basic rights and their struggle to find a place in Western culture.

Photography