Who painted Portfolio XVII, Plate 598: Gossiping - San Juan?

Portfolio XVII, Plate 598: Gossiping - San Juan was painted by Edward S. Curtis in 1905.

Where can I see Portfolio XVII, Plate 598: Gossiping - San Juan?

Portfolio XVII, Plate 598: Gossiping - San Juan is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Portfolio XVII, Plate 598: Gossiping - San Juan

Edward S. Curtis , 1905

Portfolio XVII, Plate 598: Gossiping - San Juan 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. Edward S.

About this work

Overview

Edward S. Curtis’s photograph, catalogued as Portfolio XVII, Plate 598 and titled *Gossiping – San Juan*, was produced in 1905. The image is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it is displayed as an example of early twentieth‑century documentary photography.

Subject & Meaning

The picture captures three figures seated beside a shallow stream, dressed in loose, unadorned garments. They are surrounded by everyday objects—a few clay pots, a woven basket, and scattered stones—while a dry brush and a gentle hillside form the backdrop. The composition suggests a quiet, informal gathering, preserving a fleeting moment of communal interaction.

Technique & Style

Curtis employed a large‑format camera typical of the era, yielding a high‑resolution negative that records fine texture in the clothing, pottery, and landscape. The tonal range is balanced, with muted earth tones that emphasize the natural setting and the subdued atmosphere of the scene.

History & Provenance

Created during Curtis’s extensive fieldwork documenting Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest, the photograph entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century. It remains in the museum’s permanent collection, accessible to researchers and visitors alike.