"The Papago Potter" Photogravure by Edward S. Curtis c. 1907
ABOUT
A quiet, evocative study of craft and composure, this original 1907 photogravure by Edward S. Curtis captures a Tohono O'odham (Papago) woman at work. Titled "The Papago Potter," the image is a masterclass in the interplay of light and earth, originally curated for Volume II of Curtis’s monumental series, The North American Indian.
This piece is an exceptional deluxe edition printing, rendered on translucent Japanese tissue. This rare, silk-like medium offers a luminous transparency and a soft, ethereal grain that elevates the sepia tones beyond the reach of standard paper. It is a work that bridges the gap between historical documentation and modern fine art.
- CREATOR Edward S. Curtis (1868 - 1952). Subject: Sia (Zia) Pueblo, New Mexico. Subject: Tohono O'odham (Papago), Arizona.
- DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1907.
- MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Medium: Original photogravure on hand-mounted Japanese Gampi tissue.
- CONDITION Good. This print and vintage Van Gelder overmat are in very good condition overall. There is very minor rippling at the print margins, particularly at the lower left corner, primarily visible in raking light.
- DIMENSIONS Image: 6 in. x 8 in.
HISTORY
Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952) left an enduring mark on the history of photography in his 20-volume life's work, The North American Indian. Between 1900 and 1930, Curtis traveled across the continent photographing more than seventy Native American tribes. The photographs presented daily activities, customs, and religions of a people he called “a vanishing race.
PHOTOGRAVURES | The vast majority of his prints, approximately 98%, were printed as photogravures, and virtually all them were produced for The North American Indian. Curtis used two standard sizes, 5 x 7″ (or reverse), and approximately 12 x 16″ (or reverse). He favored three hand-made papers: Japanese Vellum, Dutch “Van Gelder,” and Japanese “Tissue,” also known as India Proof Paper.
