Who painted Portfolio II, Plate 61: Mósa-Mohave?

Portfolio II, Plate 61: Mósa-Mohave was painted by Edward S. Curtis in 1903.

Where can I see Portfolio II, Plate 61: Mósa-Mohave?

Portfolio II, Plate 61: Mósa-Mohave is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Portfolio II, Plate 61: Mósa-Mohave

Edward S. Curtis , 1903

Portfolio II, Plate 61: Mósa-Mohave is a work on paper by Edward S. Curtis. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Portfolio II, Plate 61: Mósa‑Mohave is a photographic portrait taken by Edward S.

Accession no.: 1995.203.22.22
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 II, Plate 61: Mósa‑Mohave is a photographic portrait taken by Edward S. Curtis in 1903. The image belongs to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and forms part of Curtis’s extensive documentation of Native American peoples. It presents a close‑up view of an individual, emphasizing facial features against a dark, unadorned backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is depicted with long, straight hair and a solemn expression, wearing a dark garment and a distinctive beaded necklace composed of alternating white and dark stripes. The careful arrangement of the beads suggests personal or cultural significance, while the direct gaze invites contemplation of identity and presence within the broader context of early‑20th‑century ethnographic photography.

Technique & Style

Curtis employs a chiaroscuro lighting scheme, using soft, diffused illumination to model the face while the background recedes into deep shadow. This contrast enhances the three‑dimensional quality of the portrait and draws attention to the texture of the beaded necklace, highlighting the handcrafted nature of the adornment.

History & Provenance

Created during Curtis’s ambitious project to record the lives of Native American tribes, the plate was later incorporated into his Portfolio II series. The work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (date unspecified), where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.