Who painted Portfolio VI, Plate 215: Cheyenne Warriors?

Portfolio VI, Plate 215: Cheyenne Warriors was painted by Edward S. Curtis in 1905.

Where can I see Portfolio VI, Plate 215: Cheyenne Warriors?

Portfolio VI, Plate 215: Cheyenne Warriors is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Portfolio VI, Plate 215: Cheyenne Warriors

Edward S. Curtis , 1905

Portfolio VI, Plate 215: Cheyenne Warriors is a work on paper by Edward S. Curtis. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1995.203.26.32
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

This painting shows three horses standing in a field of tall grass, with two Native American men riding them.

This painting shows three horses standing in a field of tall grass, with two Native American men riding them. The men wear traditional clothing and headdresses, and one holds a feathered staff. The background is a cloudy sky.

The image is rendered in a sepia tone, which gives it a warm, nostalgic feel. The artist's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and dimensionality.

This painting is by Edward S. Curtis (American, 1868–1952), who was known for his photographs of Native American tribes.

Overview

Created in 1905, Portfolio VI, Plate 215: Cheyenne Warriors is a sepia-toned image by American photographer Edward S. Curtis. The work is part of his extensive visual record of Indigenous peoples and is presently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts three horses standing amid tall grasses under a cloudy sky, with two Cheyenne men astride two of the animals. Both riders wear traditional regalia, including feathered headdresses, and one holds a staff adorned with feathers, emphasizing cultural identity and martial presence.

Technique & Style

Curtis employed his photographic expertise to render the scene in a warm sepia palette, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere. Careful manipulation of light and shadow creates depth, while the tonal range emphasizes texture in the grass, sky, and the intricate details of the warriors’ attire.

History & Provenance

The image originates from Curtis’s sixth photographic portfolio, a series intended to document Native American life at the turn of the twentieth century. After its initial publication, the plate entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains accessible to scholars and the public.