Who painted Portfolio IV, Plate 140: A Mountain Fastness--Apsaroke?

Portfolio IV, Plate 140: A Mountain Fastness--Apsaroke was painted by Edward S. Curtis in 1905.

Where can I see Portfolio IV, Plate 140: A Mountain Fastness--Apsaroke?

Portfolio IV, Plate 140: A Mountain Fastness--Apsaroke is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Portfolio IV, Plate 140: A Mountain Fastness--Apsaroke

Edward S. Curtis , 1905

Portfolio IV, Plate 140: A Mountain Fastness--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

Overview

Portfolio IV, Plate 140: A Mountain Fastness--Apsaroke is a sepia-toned photograph by Edward S. Curtis, dated 1905, currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a group of individuals, possibly of Apsaroke (Crow Nation) affiliation as suggested by the title, traveling on horseback through a dense, rocky woodland alongside a stream. Notable is the lack of overt cultural identifiers in the scene.

Technique & Style

Curtis employed subtle shading techniques to achieve a sense of depth, conveying a serene and natural atmosphere in the photograph.

History & Provenance

Created in 1905 by Edward S. Curtis, the work is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

While the title references the Apsaroke, a Native American group, the photograph's focus on a universal scene of travel in a natural setting may reflect Curtis's broader documentary approach to Native American life during this period.

Legacy

As part of Curtis's extensive portfolio on Native American life, this piece contributes to the historical record, though its interpretive value lies more in its contextual placement within Curtis's oeuvre than in explicit cultural detail.