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

1904

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Portfolio I, Plate 26: A Chief of the Desert-Navaho is a 1904 by Edward S. Curtis, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Edward S. Curtis
When & what style?: 1904
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a man wearing a striped blanket draped over his shoulders. His head is wrapped in a cloth, and he gazes off to the side with a serious expression. The lighting is soft, focusing on his face while the background stays dark. The title says "A Chief of the Desert-Navaho," which hints this might be someone important from the Navajo community. The photo looks old, with a grainy texture that makes it feel like a snapshot from another time. If you’re curious about how this photo was made, look up *chiaroscuro*—it’s the technique of using strong light and dark contrasts to create depth.