46

Edward S. Curtis

(1868 - 1952)

A Snake Priest, 1900

gold-toned printing-out-paper print (GTPOP)
Signed, in the negative at lower left: E.S. Curtis
In negative at lower left: 97
Copyright info in negative at lower left: COPYRIGHT 1900

Negative Date: 1900
Print Date: ca. 1900
Hopi, Southwest

This compelling portrait was made by Edward Curtis in 1900, his first year of serious work on the North American Indian project. This snake priest is a member of the Antelope fraternity (as indicated by the white markings in his arms) and his dress shows that he is about to perform in one of the final days of the Snake dance, an extremely important Hopi ceremony. He wears a large and complex array of necklaces, which include "hishi" (shell) beads, silver conchos, cast medallions, and various accents. He holds eagle feathers and wears a large fetish headdress with many dazzlers. He also wears graduated "heishi" drop earrings and has two-strand leather armbands. He has painted designs on his breach cloth. He is clearly an individual of very high status. This is an extremely early Curtis print from among the earliest of 40-50,000 negatives he produced over the thirty-year project. It is believed to be one of only two to three gold-toned printing-out-paper prints of this compelling image.
13 3/16 x 11 11/16 in. (33.50 x 29.69 cm.), Single Mount: 21 11/16 x 16 11/16 in. (55.09 x 42.39 cm.)

  • Provenance: Edward S. Curtis Studio, Seattle
    Private Collection(s)
    The Christopher G. Cardozo Collection, 1993
  • Exhibited:
    Sacred Legacy: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indian (64 print exhibit), 2004, Schumacher Gallery, Columbus, OH
    Sacred Legacy: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indian (64 print exhibit), 2009, Crossman Gallery, Whitewater, WI (Curtis' birthplace)

    Publication History - Image:
    The North American Indian (1907-1930), Portfolio 12, Plate 418
    Sacred Legacy: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indian, Simon & Schuster, 2000, Page 104
    The North American Indian Republication Custom Edition, Christopher Cardozo Fine Art, 2014, Portfolio Volume 3, Plate 418
    The North American Indian Republication Reference Edition, Christopher Cardozo Fine Art, 2017, Portfolio Volume 3, Plate 418
  • Condition: This print is in fair to good condition overall. There are numerous, scattered minor to moderate tears at the margin edges. There are scattered minor to moderate spots of surface emulsion loss. There is a significant crease running horizontally through the upper quadrant of the image. There are scattered, minor to moderate surface scuffs. There are scattered minor spots of loss at the margin edges that have been consolidated. The print has been extensively conserved, with the above noted issues being stabilized and/or retouched. The issues are primarily only noticeable in strong direct light. The print has been mounted to contemporary board.

    The GTPOP prints are some of Curtis' earliest prints, created during a two to three year period beginning in 1898/99. They are printed onto a lightweight, delicate paper, and as such, the condition issues noted above are very typical, in general, of his GTPOP prints.

    The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer's advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

June 26, 2021 10:00 AM MDT
Santa Fe, NM, US

Santa Fe Art Auction

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $500,000:
20.00%
$500,001 - $1,000,000:
18.00%
$1,000,001+:
15.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000