Edward S. Curtis, The Potter-Santa Clara, Photogravure 1905
ABOUT
Inscribed in plate, lower center: From Copyright Photograph 1905 by E.S. Curtis.
Inscribed in plate, lower right: Photogravure Suffolk Eng. Co. Cambridge, Mass.
A profound study of tradition and focused artistry, this original 1905 photogravure by Edward S. Curtis depicts a Tewa woman from the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico. Titled "The Potter – Santa Clara," it captures the meticulous polishing of a vessel—a tactile ritual essential to the clay's renowned finish. The work was originally curated as Plate 602 in Volume XVII of the landmark series, The North American Indian.
This piece is a significant large-format portfolio plate, a rare alternative to the smaller text-bound versions. Rendered on heavy Van Gelder Dutch paper, the image is physically pressed into the fibers, leaving a distinctive recessed indentation or plate mark. This large-scale format showcases the full breadth of Curtis's technical mastery, preserving the natural textures and cultural narrative with exceptional clarity.
- CREATOR Edward S. Curtis (1868 - 1952). Subject: Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico.
- DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1905.
- MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Medium: Original large-format photogravure on Van Gelder paper.
- CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
- DIMENSIONS Sheet: H 21.5 in. W 17.5 in., Image: H 18 in. W 13 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.
