Skip to main content

Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

American, 1868-1952

Edward S. Curtis is arguably the most influential photographer of the American West. His work unquestionably ranks among that of the most important photographers of the 20th century.

Curtis was first and foremost; an extremely gifted and sophisticated artist whose work had the duality of being an incredible artistic creation at the same time as being a document of a people. He was uniquely able to create, out of whole cloth, a lasting vision of the American Indian that never existed before it was first seen through his photographic lens.

Edward Curtis produced images of the American Indian that convey a dignity, a universal humanity and a certain remaining majesty that transcend literally all other work ever done on the subject. In his photographs we see images that are uniquely able to stand alone in the world of photography.

Beginning in 1898 and continuing through 1928, Curtis dedicated his life to documenting the traditional lifeways and cultures of 128 American Indian tribes living west of the Mississippi River, from Alaska to the Mexican border.

Curtis was a genius of an artist possessed by a singular obsession to preserve the traditional lifeways of the American Indian.

Astonishingly, focusing all his immense talents over a staggering 30-year period, Curtis accomplished what he set out to do; he did save the traditional lifeways of these Native Peoples but at tremendous personal cost. It cost him his marriage, it cost him his health, and it cost him any possible financial stability he might ever have had.

In spite of all this, he persevered and left a body of work never to be equaled in the field of photography.

Find authentic Edward S. Curtis photography on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Bruce Kapson Gallery)

to
4
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
4
3
1
4
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
25
2,291
1,349
220
211
4
Artist: Edward S. Curtis
Chaiwa - Tewa - Profile, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Chaiwa - Tewa - Profile 1921 Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #415, The North American Indi...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

A Hopi Woman, 1905
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis A Hopi Woman 1905 Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #411, The North American Indian, on Japa...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

The Potter Mixing Clay, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis The Potter Mixing Clay 1921 Photogravure Print 18 x 22 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #419, The North American I...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

The Piki Maker, 1906
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis The Piki Maker 1906 Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #432, The North American Indian, o...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Related Items
Luzi Girl Papago The North American Indian, Edward S. Curtis, Photogravure, 190
By Edward Curtis
Located in Phoenix, AZ
LUZI GIRL PAPAGO, 1907 Portfolio 2, Plate 53 THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN BY EDWARD S. CURTIS Image size 15.5 x 10 1/4 inches, Excellent condition. This is an original photogravur...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Qahatika Girl, The North American Indian, Edward S. Curtis, Photogravure, 1907
By Edward Curtis
Located in Phoenix, AZ
QAHATIKA GIRL Portfolio 2, plate no. 56 THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN BY EDWARD S. CURTIS SHIPPING CHARGES INCLUDE SHIPPING, PACKAGING & INSURANCE Considered by art collectors as extr...
Category

Early 20th Century Academic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Boy with Old Woman
By Paul Strand, 1890-1976
Located in Denton, TX
Single photogravure from the Mexican Portfolio, 1932-33. Published by Da Capo Press, New York, 1967 Edition of 1,000 Printed 1967
Category

1930s Modern Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Boy with Old Woman
$1,000
H 8.75 in W 13 in D 0.1 in
Man, Tenancingo
By Paul Strand, 1890-1976
Located in Denton, TX
Single photogravure from the Mexican Portfolio, 1932-33. Published by Da Capo Press, New York, 1967 Edition of 1,000 Printed 1967
Category

1930s Modern Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Man, Tenancingo
$1,000
H 8.75 in W 13 in D 0.1 in
Women of Santa Anna, Michoacan
By Paul Strand, 1890-1976
Located in Denton, TX
Signed Single photogravure from the Mexican Portfolio, 1932-33. Published by Da Capo Press, New York, 1967 Edition of 1,000 Printed 1967
Category

1930s Modern Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Lola s World
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These images are available as hand-pulled polymer photogravures, made with bone black and warm sepia inks on Hahnemühle Copperplate paper. Edition of 109 7 x 9 photopolymer gravure Signed numbered and dated by the artist. The photographs and poem that evolved into this series of photographs and the accompanying book “Yesterday” were made during the summer of 2020. Although much of the country was in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, on this remote island off the coast of Maine, we still felt free from much of the toll that Covid was taking. Able to spend time outside, in nature, we had the illusion of safety, of normalcy almost, whilst at the same time being painfully aware of how the virus was increasingly touching everyone's lives. By then we all knew of people who had died, or become ill and we were managing the stress of futures shifting and plans that had been derailed, fearing what would come with the change of the seasons. That summer represented a pause in time, a moment where life could feel normal, when we were still holding on to a world of yesterdays. Maine-based photographic artist and writer Sal Taylor Kydd uses various photographic media in a personal narrative that explores themes around memory and belonging; combining her poetry with alternative processes of photography and object-making. Taylor Kydd’s fine art photographs have been exhibited throughout the country and internationally, including Barcelona, San Miguel De Allende, Portland, Boston and Los Angeles; and she has been featured in numerous publications, including Shots Magazine, Don’t Take Pictures Magazine, Lenscratch, Diffusion Annual and The Hand magazine. She has self-published a number of books combining her poetry with her photographs. Her books are in private and museum collections throughout the country including The Getty Museum, Bowdoin College, The Peabody Essex Museum and the Maine Women Writer’s Collection at the University of New England. Taylor Kydd’s latest book “Yesterday”, produced by Datz Press, is a limited edition book of poems and photographs that explores our sense of loss around the pandemic of 2020. Taylor Kydd is also a veteran workshop leader and educator and has led workshops and conducted portfolio reviews throughout the country and internationally with Maine Media, Santa Fe Workshops, Palm Beach Photography...
Category

2010s Romantic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Lola
s World
$900
H 9 in W 7 in D 0.01 in
Offered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These images are available as hand-pulled polymer photogravures, made with bone black and warm sepia inks on Hahnemühle Copperplate paper. Edition of 109 7 x 9 photopolymer gravure Signed numbered and dated by the artist Framing options available The photographs and poem that evolved into this series of photographs and the accompanying book “Yesterday” were made during the summer of 2020. Although much of the country was in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, on this remote island off the coast of Maine, we still felt free from much of the toll that Covid was taking. Able to spend time outside, in nature, we had the illusion of safety, of normalcy almost, whilst at the same time being painfully aware of how the virus was increasingly touching everyone's lives. By then we all knew of people who had died, or become ill and we were managing the stress of futures shifting and plans that had been derailed, fearing what would come with the change of the seasons. That summer represented a pause in time, a moment where life could feel normal, when we were still holding on to a world of yesterdays. Maine-based photographic artist and writer Sal Taylor Kydd uses various photographic media in a personal narrative that explores themes around memory and belonging; combining her poetry with alternative processes of photography and object-making. Taylor Kydd’s fine art photographs have been exhibited throughout the country and internationally, including Barcelona, San Miguel De Allende, Portland, Boston and Los Angeles; and she has been featured in numerous publications, including Shots Magazine, Don’t Take Pictures Magazine, Lenscratch, Diffusion Annual and The Hand magazine. She has self-published a number of books combining her poetry with her photographs. Her books are in private and museum collections throughout the country including The Getty Museum, Bowdoin College, The Peabody Essex Museum and the Maine Women Writer’s Collection at the University of New England. Taylor Kydd’s latest book “Yesterday”, produced by Datz Press, is a limited edition book of poems and photographs that explores our sense of loss around the pandemic of 2020. Taylor Kydd is also a veteran workshop leader and educator and has led workshops and conducted portfolio reviews throughout the country and internationally with Maine Media, Santa Fe Workshops, Palm Beach Photography...
Category

2010s Romantic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Offered
Offered
$900
H 9 in W 7 in D 0.01 in
Mannequin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These images are available as hand-pulled polymer photogravures, made with bone black and warm sepia inks on Hahnemühle Copperplate paper. Edition of 109 7 x 9 photopolymer gravure Signed numbered and dated by the artist Framing options available The photographs and poem that evolved into this series of photographs and the accompanying book “Yesterday” were made during the summer of 2020. Although much of the country was in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, on this remote island off the coast of Maine, we still felt free from much of the toll that Covid was taking. Able to spend time outside, in nature, we had the illusion of safety, of normalcy almost, whilst at the same time being painfully aware of how the virus was increasingly touching everyone's lives. By then we all knew of people who had died, or become ill and we were managing the stress of futures shifting and plans that had been derailed, fearing what would come with the change of the seasons. That summer represented a pause in time, a moment where life could feel normal, when we were still holding on to a world of yesterdays. Maine-based photographic artist and writer Sal Taylor Kydd uses various photographic media in a personal narrative that explores themes around memory and belonging; combining her poetry with alternative processes of photography and object-making. Taylor Kydd’s fine art photographs have been exhibited throughout the country and internationally, including Barcelona, San Miguel De Allende, Portland, Boston and Los Angeles; and she has been featured in numerous publications, including Shots Magazine, Don’t Take Pictures Magazine, Lenscratch, Diffusion Annual and The Hand magazine. She has self-published a number of books combining her poetry with her photographs. Her books are in private and museum collections throughout the country including The Getty Museum, Bowdoin College, The Peabody Essex Museum and the Maine Women Writer’s Collection at the University of New England. Taylor Kydd’s latest book “Yesterday”, produced by Datz Press, is a limited edition book of poems and photographs that explores our sense of loss around the pandemic of 2020. Taylor Kydd is also a veteran workshop leader and educator and has led workshops and conducted portfolio reviews throughout the country and internationally with Maine Media, Santa Fe Workshops, Palm Beach Photography...
Category

2010s Romantic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Mannequin
Mannequin
$900
H 9 in W 7 in D 0.01 in
Waiting for Tomorrow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These images are available as hand-pulled polymer photogravures, made with bone black and warm sepia inks on Hahnemühle Copperplate paper. Edition of 109 7 x 9 photopolymer gravure Signed numbered and dated by the artist Framing options available The photographs and poem that evolved into this series of photographs and the accompanying book “Yesterday” were made during the summer of 2020. Although much of the country was in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, on this remote island off the coast of Maine, we still felt free from much of the toll that Covid was taking. Able to spend time outside, in nature, we had the illusion of safety, of normalcy almost, whilst at the same time being painfully aware of how the virus was increasingly touching everyone's lives. By then we all knew of people who had died, or become ill and we were managing the stress of futures shifting and plans that had been derailed, fearing what would come with the change of the seasons. That summer represented a pause in time, a moment where life could feel normal, when we were still holding on to a world of yesterdays. Maine-based photographic artist and writer Sal Taylor Kydd uses various photographic media in a personal narrative that explores themes around memory and belonging; combining her poetry with alternative processes of photography and object-making. Taylor Kydd’s fine art photographs have been exhibited throughout the country and internationally, including Barcelona, San Miguel De Allende, Portland, Boston and Los Angeles; and she has been featured in numerous publications, including Shots Magazine, Don’t Take Pictures Magazine, Lenscratch, Diffusion Annual and The Hand magazine. She has self-published a number of books combining her poetry with her photographs. Her books are in private and museum collections throughout the country including The Getty Museum, Bowdoin College, The Peabody Essex Museum and the Maine Women Writer’s Collection at the University of New England. Taylor Kydd’s latest book “Yesterday”, produced by Datz Press, is a limited edition book of poems and photographs that explores our sense of loss around the pandemic of 2020. Taylor Kydd is also a veteran workshop leader and educator and has led workshops and conducted portfolio reviews throughout the country and internationally with Maine Media, Santa Fe Workshops, Palm Beach Photography...
Category

2010s Romantic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Twilight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These images are available as hand-pulled polymer photogravures, made with bone black and warm sepia inks on Hahnemühle Copperplate paper. Edition of 109 7 x 9 photopolymer gravure Signed numbered and dated by the artist Framing options available The photographs and poem that evolved into this series of photographs and the accompanying book “Yesterday” were made during the summer of 2020. Although much of the country was in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, on this remote island off the coast of Maine, we still felt free from much of the toll that Covid was taking. Able to spend time outside, in nature, we had the illusion of safety, of normalcy almost, whilst at the same time being painfully aware of how the virus was increasingly touching everyone's lives. By then we all knew of people who had died, or become ill and we were managing the stress of futures shifting and plans that had been derailed, fearing what would come with the change of the seasons. That summer represented a pause in time, a moment where life could feel normal, when we were still holding on to a world of yesterdays. Maine-based photographic artist and writer Sal Taylor Kydd uses various photographic media in a personal narrative that explores themes around memory and belonging; combining her poetry with alternative processes of photography and object-making. Taylor Kydd’s fine art photographs have been exhibited throughout the country and internationally, including Barcelona, San Miguel De Allende, Portland, Boston and Los Angeles; and she has been featured in numerous publications, including Shots Magazine, Don’t Take Pictures Magazine, Lenscratch, Diffusion Annual and The Hand magazine. She has self-published a number of books combining her poetry with her photographs. Her books are in private and museum collections throughout the country including The Getty Museum, Bowdoin College, The Peabody Essex Museum and the Maine Women Writer’s Collection at the University of New England. Taylor Kydd’s latest book “Yesterday”, produced by Datz Press, is a limited edition book of poems and photographs that explores our sense of loss around the pandemic of 2020. Taylor Kydd is also a veteran workshop leader and educator and has led workshops and conducted portfolio reviews throughout the country and internationally with Maine Media, Santa Fe Workshops, Palm Beach Photography...
Category

2010s Romantic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Twilight
Twilight
$900
H 9 in W 7 in D 0.01 in
Braided
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Archival pigment print Signed and dated by the artist 16 x 20 - edition of 10 20 x 30 - edition of 5 Flickering in the Midday Silver Beyond the pane a glimmer, barely perceived...
Category

2010s Romantic Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Braided
$1,500
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.01 in
Previously Available Items
Maricopa Girl
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Maricopa Girl 1907 Vintage Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 2, Pl...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

A Modified Style Of Hair Dressing, 1921
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Modified Style Of Hair Dressing 1921 Photogravure Print 22 x 18 inches Vintage large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 12, Plate #428, The North Ameri...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Piegan Dandy
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward S. Curtis Piegan Dandy, 1900 Photogravure Print Vintage Large format Curtis Portfolio Photogravure, Portfolio 6, Plate #208, The North American Indian, on Japan Vellum paper....
Category

Mid-20th Century Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Tesuque Buffalo Dancers, pl. 600
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Denton, TX
Printed plate number, Curtis's title, date, copyright, and photogravures by John Andrews and Son on recto. Known for his remarkable documentation of Native Americans in the early tw...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Gathering Wokas - Klamath, pl. 460
By Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952
Located in Denton, TX
Printed plate number, Curtis's title, date, copyright, and photogravures by John Andrews & Son on recto
Category

1920s Other Art Style Edward S. Curtis Portrait Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Edward S. Curtis portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Edward S. Curtis portrait photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Edward S. Curtis in intaglio, photogravure and more. Not every interior allows for large Edward S. Curtis portrait photography, so small editions measuring 18 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Danny Lyon, Edward Weston, and Robin Austin. Edward S. Curtis portrait photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,500 and tops out at $72,000, while the average work can sell for $7,500.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed