Who painted Portfolio VIII, Plate 263: Nez Percé Brave?

Portfolio VIII, Plate 263: Nez Percé Brave was painted by Edward S. Curtis in 1905.

Where can I see Portfolio VIII, Plate 263: Nez Percé Brave?

Portfolio VIII, Plate 263: Nez Percé Brave is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Portfolio VIII, Plate 263: Nez Percé Brave

Edward S. Curtis , 1905

Portfolio VIII, Plate 263: Nez Percé Brave 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 VIII, Plate 263: Nez Percé Brave is a black-and-white photographic portrait by Edward S. Curtis, dating to 1905. The image centers a Nez Percé man adorned in traditional regalia, set against a plain background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a Nez Percé Brave, is portrayed with solemnity, wearing a distinctive tall feathered headdress and a round-bead necklace. He grasps a large feather in his right hand, conveying dignity. The photograph aims to document Indigenous cultural attire and identity in the early 20th century.

Technique & Style

Curtis employs soft lighting to accentuate the subject's face and headdress, ensuring the focus remains on the individual and his traditional garments. The plain background further emphasizes the subject's presence and regalia.

History & Provenance

Created in 1905 as part of Curtis's broader project to photograph Indigenous peoples, the work is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Context

This photograph was taken during a period of significant cultural documentation of Native American communities, reflecting early 20th-century interests in preserving (or capturing) Indigenous identities through visual media.