Portfolio I, Plate 32: A Son of the Desert - Navaho

1904

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Portfolio I, Plate 32: A Son 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 young person wearing a wrapped headcloth. Their face is lit from the side, leaving the other side in shadow. The background is plain and dark, so all focus stays on them. The lighting creates strong contrasts between light and dark, which makes the face stand out. The title says this is a "Son of the Desert - Navaho," but no other details are visible. Try looking up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works in other art.