Accession Number1987/1.210
TitleSpídĭs—Wishham
Artist(s)Edward S. CurtisArtist NationalityAmerican (North American)Object Creation Date1910Medium & Supportphotogravure on paperDimensions 12 3/16 in x 9 3/16 in (30.96 cm x 23.34 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. KenyonSubject matterThis image of a man from the Wishham tribe—now known as Wishram—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 DescriptionA portrait of an aging man. He wears a tusk septum piercing and two long braids, with a garment draped over his soulders. A circular embroidered design is visible near the bottom of the frame.
Primary Object ClassificationPhotographCollection AreaPhotographyRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
Figures
Native American
Portraits
Wishram
braids (hairstyle)
bust-length
males
man
modern and contemporary art
nose ornaments
single-sitter portraits