Open full image Pin

Portfolio I, Plate 37: Out of the Darkness-Navaho

Edward S. Curtis

1904

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Early Modern

Dominant colour

Portfolio I, Plate 37: Out of the Darkness-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 image shows a sepia-toned photograph of three people on horseback, standing in a dark forest. The people are dressed in traditional clothing, and the horses are facing away from the camera. In the foreground, there is a dirt path with some grass and weeds. The photograph is taken in a low-light setting, with the only light source coming from the right side of the image. This creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing the viewer's attention to the figures in the center. The use of chiaroscuro in this photograph adds to the dramatic effect, highlighting the textures and forms of the figures and their surroundings. To learn more about the artist's use of light and shadow, look up Edward S. Curtis.