EDWARD S. CURTIS (American, 1868-1952). Before the Storm, circa 1906. Orotone. 11 x 14 inches (27.9 x 35.6 cm). Signed,...

Description

EDWARD S. CURTIS (American, 1868-1952)
Before the Storm, circa 1906
Orotone
11 x 14 inches (27.9 x 35.6 cm)
Signed, '©' in plate; in original Curtis Studio frame.
Original studio price sticker at lower right corner of verso, "...price of this Curttone is $15.00 The North American Indian".

The scene of this classic early Curtis photograph takes place in Apache-land in present day Arizona. The four individual riders are from the White Mountain Apache tribe who were believed to number among approximately 2,000 tribal members living in this area. The dramatic lighting, back lit subjects, and narrow depth of field were all aspects of Curtis's Pictorial aesthetic. This image appeared in photogravure as Portfolio Plate No. 9 in Volume One of The North American Indian. Curtis's caption reads: "A scene in the high mountains of Apache-land just before the breaking rainstorm."

Goldtone, or Orotone, is a printing process pioneered by Curtis, and was his favored method of producing images. Images are printed directly on glass and backed with golden metallic particles. The end result has a luminosity and three-dimensionality not found in any other medium.

PROVENANCE:
Private Collection, California.

More information about EDWARD S. CURTIS. See also: Curtis, Edward Sheriff, Curtis, Edward, Curtis, Edward S., Edward S. Curtis, Edward Sheriff Curtis Artist.



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