Artwork

Portfolio IV, Plate 139: Upshaw--Apsaroke

Portfolio IV, Plate 139: Upshaw--Apsaroke, by Edward S. Curtis, 1905
Portfolio IV, Plate 139: Upshaw--Apsaroke, by Edward S. Curtis, 1905

Portfolio IV, Plate 139: Upshaw--Apsaroke is a work on paper by Edward S. Curtis. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The man's attire and accessories suggest that he is from a specific cultural or tribal group, although the exact details are not immediately clear.

This portrait shows a man with a solemn expression, wearing a headdress adorned with long white feathers. He has a necklace made of multiple strands of white beads around his neck, and his right hand is visible in the foreground. The background is blurred, but it appears to be a natural setting.

The man's attire and accessories suggest that he is from a specific cultural or tribal group, although the exact details are not immediately clear. The artist's use of a sepia-toned medium adds a sense of nostalgia and timelessness to the image.

If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this portrait, you might want to look up Edward S. Curtis (American, 1868–1952).

Overview

Portfolio IV, Plate 139: Upshaw--Apsaroke is a photographic work by Edward S. Curtis, created in 1905, and is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a man with a solemn expression, identified as Upshaw, an Apsaroke individual, wearing traditional attire including a headdress and necklace, conveying a sense of cultural identity.

Technique & Style

The sepia-toned photograph features a blurred natural background, focusing attention on the subject, and employs a nostalgic tone, characteristic of Curtis's work.

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.