168

Edward S. Curtis

(1868 - 1952)

President Theodore Roosevelt, ca. 1905

silver gelatin print - toned
In 1904, after Curtis won a national portrait contest, President Theodore Roosevelt invited him to his Long Island home, Sagamore Hill, to photograph his children. The men discovered they shared common interests, including a love of the West and a concern over the plight of American Indians. Roosevelt became a champion of Curtis and his work, writing a letter of recommendation that helped the photographer gain the financial support of J. P. Morgan. Roosevelt also penned the foreword to The North American Indian, which he considered "a real and great service . . . not only to our people, but to the world of scholarship everywhere."

signed lower right: CURTIS
Negative date: 1905
Print date: ca. 1905

Rendered in silver gelatin, this print exhibits a warm, sepia hue and is an excellent example, in both tonality and condition, of this image on matte surface paper.

Early in Curtis' photographic career he gained considerable respect as a portrait photographer. So much so, that his work was recognized by President Theodore Roosevelt, who subsequently invited Curtis to take some family photographs on the East coast. Curtis and Roosevelt shared a vision and passion for preservation, and when Curtis started The North American Indian project Roosevelt became a champion of the work, eventually introducing him to J.P. Morgan, who provided considerable financing for the project. Of Curtis Roosevelt said, "Mr. Curtis, because of the singular combination of qualities with which has been blest and because of his extraordinary success in making and using his opportunities, has been able to do what no other man ever has done; what, as for we can see, no other man could do."
13 3/4 x 10 3/4 in. (34.9 x 27.3 cm.), frame: 20 5/8 x 16 5/8 x 3/4 in. (52.4 x 42.2 x 1.9 cm.)

  • Provenance: Edward Curtis Studio, Seattle
    Private Collection(s)
    The Christopher G. Cardozo Collection 2005
  • Condition: This print is in very good condition overall. There are scattered, very minor spots of historic retouching, visible upon close inspection. The print verso shows moderate yellowing and graphite notations. The print recto is not affected.

    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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April 10, 2024 10:30 AM MDT
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