“Lasting Impressions: The Work of Edward S. Curtis” is on display at the Stark Museum of Art.
Curtis’ “big dream” was to document traditional Indian life through his photogravures, writings and sound recordings. More than 100 images and books from his project “The North American Indian” are on view.
Also featured in the exhibition are other recent acquisitions of Curtis works. A copperplate shows the process Curtis used in the production of the photogravures. An orotone, a photograph printed on glass with gold-toned effects, presents the photographer’s romantic imagery.
In 2013, the museum purchased a complete set of “The North American Indian,” which includes 20 portfolios of exquisite photogravures, along with 20 bound volumes of text and additional illustrations.
Curtis published descriptions and images of Native American peoples from throughout the American West during the years 1907-1930.
“Edward S. Curtis produced an astonishing body of work in his project ‘The North American Indian,’” curator Sarah Boehme said. “He made beautiful photographs including sensitive portraits and compelling scenes portraying traditional cultural life. Yet his project raises questions about his devotion to his goal.
“We at the museum invite the public to engage with this extraordinary project and the stories of people that it portrays.”
The exhibition is open through June 8, 2019. Admission to the exhibition is free.
Stark Museum of Art is located at 712 Green Ave. in Orange.
The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information, visit stark
museum.org.