The North American Indian: Aesthetic Presentations of Reality
The North American Indian were made of aesthetic presentations of reality accompanied by beautifully printed photogravures with appealing visuals as well as text as acknowledged by President Roosevelt and wealthy financiers (Curtis). The constructed nature of the images makes Curtis's images to be pictures, not photographs. During that century the fields of photography and anthropology went through debates on the nature of authenticity in representation and photographers turned away from pictorialist methods (Skeens).
Curtis's Authentic Photographs
Curtis's photographs are authentic since they have the three major characteristics of genuine photography such as location, subject matter, and date. The three factors enable a viewer to understand when, where, and what the photograph was taken which are essential aspects of authenticity. For example, besides the photograph titled The Oath—Apsaroke is the title, creator, date published, summary, reproduction number, right advisory, call number, subjects, repository, format, and collections regarding the photograph. All these are adequate details that affirm the authenticity of Curtis's photographs.
The Artistic Value of Curtis's Photography
Curtis's photographs involved a photographic approach that emphasized on the perfection of composition and beauty of subject matter instead of documentation of the world. His photographs were focused on the artistic value of photography seriously.
Pictorialist Fictions in Curtis's Photographs
Curtis's photographs can be considered Pictorialist fictions since they focused on tonality, color, and composition. He tried to capture something beyond the reality and close to the realm of dreamlike which made him realize enormous sales of his artworks. Furthermore, his photos appeared objective, unposed, natural, and candid. The use of pictorialism in Curtis photography style reflected emotional impression the subject made on the observer. The use of romantic aesthetics, as well as pictorialism, made classic quality, face focused, and use of natural light pictures as evident in most of his artwork. For example, Mary E. Allen, Portrait of the Artist's Mother, platinum print, 1890-95 elaborates how he considered pictorialist.
Works Cited
Curtis, Edward S. The North American Indian. e-artnow sro, 2005.
Skeens, Heather Lin. "Pictures, not merely photographs: authenticity, performance and the Hopi in Edward S. Curtis's The North American Indian." (2016).
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002719691/
