Lot 157

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Description:

Edward S. Curtis
(1868 - 1952)
The Vanishing Race - Navaho, 1904
orotone on glass (goldtone)
Signed lower right in the negative: Curtis L.A.
Copyright at lower right in the negative.
Original narrative sticker at upper left on frame verso.

Negative Date: 1904
Print Date: ca. 1932
Navaho, Southwest

In original period frame.

"The Vanishing Race" was Curtis' signature piece. It was the visual metaphor for the core conceptual underpinning of Curtis' life's work i.e., that Native Americans, as a culture, at least, were vanishing. It became Curtis' over-arching life goal to create a record of Native Americans and their lifeways before they disappeared forever. Curtis searched for an image to illustrate this idea for nearly four years before creating "The Vanishing Race". A century ago, it was by far and away Curtis' most popular single image. Today it still remains a highly sought after and classic. With few exceptions, Curis printed goldtones in four sizes, ranging from 8 x 10 to 18 x 22 inches, although those larger than 11 x 14 are extremely rare.

    Provenance:
  • Edward S. Curtis Studio, Seattle
    Private Collection(s)
    The Christopher G. Cardozo Collection, 2002

    Publication History - Image:
    The North American Indian (1907-1930), Portfolio 1, Plate 1
    Native Nations, Bulfinch Press publisher, 1993, Page 123
    Sacred Legacy: Edward S. Curtis and the North American Indian, Simon & Schuster publisher, 2000, Page 188
    Edward S. Curtis: The Great Warriors, Bulfinch Press publisher, 2004, Page 7
    The North American Indian Republication Custom Edition, Christopher Cardozo Fine Art, 2014, Portfolio Volume 1, Plate 1
    Edward S. Curtis One Hundred Masterworks, Delmonico Books/Prestel Publishing, 2015, Page 91, 166
    The North American Indian Republication Reference Edition, Christopher Cardozo Fine Art, 2017, Portfolio Volume 1, Plate 1
  • Dimensions:
  • 14 x 17 in. (35.56 x 43.18 cm.), Frame: 18 3/4 x 21 7/8 in. (47.63 x 55.56 cm.)
  • Artist Name:
  • Edward S. Curtis
  • Medium:
  • orotone on glass (goldtone)
  • Condition:
  • This goldtone is in excellent condition overall. There are minor six spots of gold backing loss at the lower, left and upper margin edge, which is typical in Curtis goldtones of this era. There are minor, scattered surface scuffs and scratches, and minor imperfections on the glass surface, primarily visible in strong direct light, and typical of Curtis goldtones of this era. The original frame is in excellent condition.

    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.

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