Artwork

Portfolio VI, Plate 191: Double Runner--Piegan

Portfolio VI, Plate 191: Double Runner--Piegan, by Edward S. Curtis, 1900
Portfolio VI, Plate 191: Double Runner--Piegan, by Edward S. Curtis, 1900

Portfolio VI, Plate 191: Double Runner--Piegan is a work on paper by Edward S. Curtis. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Portfolio VI, Plate 191: Double Runner—Piegan is a black-and-white photograph created by Edward S.

About this work

He’s wearing a beaded necklace and a patterned shirt, and his long hair is tied back.

This is a black-and-white photo of a man sitting still with a serious look. He’s wearing a beaded necklace and a patterned shirt, and his long hair is tied back. The background is plain, so all the focus is on him.

The photo was taken in 1900 by someone who wanted to document people’s lives. The name below says *Double Runner—Piegan*, which might be his title or tribe.

If you like this kind of portrait, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more.

Overview

Portfolio VI, Plate 191: Double Runner—Piegan is a black-and-white photograph created by Edward S. Curtis in 1900, currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The photograph depicts a solemn-faced man, identified as Double Runner—Piegan, whose attire includes a beaded necklace and a patterned shirt. His long hair is tied back, and the plain background emphasizes his portrait. The subject's name suggests it may indicate either his title or affiliation with the Piegan tribe.

Technique & Style

Curtis employed a straightforward, high-contrast black-and-white photographic technique, characteristic of early 20th-century documentary photography. The plain background and centered composition focus attention on the subject's demeanor and attire.

History & Provenance

Created in 1900 as part of Curtis's broader project to document Native American life, the photograph is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

This work is part of a larger body of photographic documentation by Curtis, aiming to capture the lives and cultures of Native American communities during a period of significant change.

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.