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Portfolio XVI, Plate 573: Acoma Water Girls

Edward S. Curtis

1904

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Early Modern

Dominant colour

Portfolio XVI, Plate 573: Acoma Water Girls 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 painting depicts four women walking up a hill, carrying large containers on their heads. The women are dressed in dark clothing and wear head coverings, and the containers they carry appear to be made of clay or ceramic. The hill they are climbing is rocky and barren, with no vegetation in sight. The women's clothing and the style of the containers they carry suggest that they may be from a specific cultural or ethnic group. The artist's use of muted colors and simple composition adds to the sense of simplicity and humility that pervades the scene. The painting is a poignant portrayal of everyday life and the struggles of women in a particular time and place. To learn more about the artist's work and style, explore the collection of Edward S. Curtis at The Cleveland Museum of Art.