Kashhila-Wishham 1909

Edward S. Curtis made this photograph, titled Kashhila-Wishham, on paper using a photogravure technique. I love the way this image teeters between the personal and the documentary. The warmth of the brown tones invites you in, but the serious gaze of the subject pushes back. There is texture everywhere; the soft fur, the smooth metal of the jewelry, and even the almost imperceptible grain of the photographic print. These are all material facts that make the image come alive. Look closely at the circular ornaments that adorn the sitter's garment. They are both decorative and functional. The way the light catches the metal, creating a stark contrast, highlights the skill and care with which they were made. The same careful attention is mirrored in the arrangement of the composition. Curtis’s work reminds me of August Sander's portraits of German citizens in the early 20th century. Both photographers were interested in documenting a particular time and place, but their images transcend mere documentation. They become portraits of the human spirit. I feel that in the end, art is always a dialogue.