Artwork

Portfolio I, Plate 20: Vash Gon-Jicarilla

Portfolio I, Plate 20: Vash Gon-Jicarilla, by Edward S. Curtis, 1903
Portfolio I, Plate 20: Vash Gon-Jicarilla, by Edward S. Curtis, 1903

Portfolio I, Plate 20: Vash Gon-Jicarilla is a work on paper by Edward S. Curtis. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Portfolio I, Plate 20: Vash Gon-Jicarilla is a photographic work by Edward S. Curtis, dated to 1903.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the plate is identified as Vash Gon-Jicarilla, implying a portrait of an individual from the Jicarilla Apache tribe, with the work likely aiming to document and represent Native American life during the early 20th century.

Technique & Style

While specific technical details of this plate are not provided, Curtis's work from this period typically features gelatin silver prints, characterized by detailed, high-contrast images, reflecting his documentary approach to photography.

History & Provenance

The work is part of Curtis's broader photographic project and is currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, indicating its inclusion in a significant cultural collection.

Context

Created in 1903, the piece contextualizes the early 20th-century fascination with and documentation of Native American cultures, amidst broader societal changes and the decline of traditional Native American ways of life.

Legacy

As part of Curtis's extensive portfolio, Vash Gon-Jicarilla contributes to the broader legacy of his work in photographing Native American tribes, influencing both anthropological records and the visual narrative of American history.

Artist & collection

Artist

Edward S. Curtis

Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952) was an American artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.