Who painted Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho?

Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho was painted by Edward S. Curtis in 1904.

Where can I see Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho?

Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho

Edward S. Curtis , 1904

Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho is a work on paper by Edward S. Curtis. It dates from 1904 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1995.203.21.26
Credit line: Presented by Mrs. James H. Hoyt, Elton Hoyt, II, and Mrs. Amasa Stone Mather in memory of James H. Hoyt

About this work

Overview

Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho is a black-and-white photograph by Edward S. Curtis, created in 1904.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a Navajo man, possibly a leader, wrapped in a striped blanket and head cloth, conveying a sense of dignity and gravity through his serious expression.

Technique & Style

The photograph employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between light and dark to emphasize the subject's face, while the background remains subdued.

History & Provenance

The work is part of a portfolio and is currently held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.