Sons of a Yakima Chief
Edward S. Curtis; John Andrew & Son, Boston
Description
Subject Matter:
This image of two boys from the Yakima tribe (now known as Yakama) is from The North American Indian (1907-1930), a twenty-volume series created by Edward Curtis in order to document the lives of Native Americans in diverse regions of the Western United States. This limited edition volume was financially supported by J.P. Morgan, and promoted by Theodore Roosevelt. The resulting works have been criticized and celebrated for their portrayal of Native American life. Curtis often included anachronous props and clothing and presented rituals that had not been performed in years in order to support an idealized and romantic reading of a “vanishing race.”
Physical Description:
This is a portrait of two young boys. They stand inside a tipi or tent, wearing large headdresses and beadwork around their shoulders. The interior of the space is filled with patterned blankets and cloths.
Usage Rights:
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.