Who painted Portfolio VI, Plate 209: The Three Chiefs - Piegan?

Portfolio VI, Plate 209: The Three Chiefs - Piegan was painted by Edward S. Curtis in 1900.

Where can I see Portfolio VI, Plate 209: The Three Chiefs - Piegan?

Portfolio VI, Plate 209: The Three Chiefs - Piegan is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Portfolio VI, Plate 209: The Three Chiefs - Piegan

Edward S. Curtis , 1900

Portfolio VI, Plate 209: The Three Chiefs - 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.

About this work

The title says these are "The Three Chiefs - Piegan," suggesting they may hold leadership roles in their community.

This photo shows three men riding horses across an open, grassy plain. The sky above them is dark and cloudy, while the ground below is dry and patchy with water. The riders are dressed in long, dark robes and appear to be moving in a line.

The title says these are "The Three Chiefs - Piegan," suggesting they may hold leadership roles in their community. The photo’s grainy, sepia tone gives it an old-fashioned feel.

Look up Edward S. Curtis (American, 1868–1952) to see more of his work.

Overview

Portfolio VI, Plate 209: The Three Chiefs - Piegan is a photographic work by Edward S. Curtis, dated to 1900, and part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The photograph depicts three men, identified as chiefs of the Piegan people, riding horses in a procession across a grassy, partially arid plain under a dark, cloudy sky. Their attire consists of long, dark robes, and they are shown in a linear formation, implying a ceremonial or formal context that reflects their leadership status within their community.

Technique & Style

The image is characterized by a grainy texture and a sepia tone, which contributes to its antiquated appearance. The composition emphasizes the subjects within a vast, natural landscape, typical of Curtis’s documentary approach to capturing Native American life.

History & Provenance

Created in 1900 by Edward S. Curtis, the photograph is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art as part of its collections.

Context

This work is part of Curtis’s broader project to document Native American cultures, specifically focusing on the Piegan, a subgroup of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The image captures a moment in the early 20th century, a period of significant change for Native American communities.

Legacy

As part of Curtis’s extensive photographic series on Native American life, Portfolio VI, Plate 209 contributes to the historical and cultural record of the Piegan people, though its representation is filtered through Curtis’s outsider perspective.