Amos Two Bulls, Dakota Sioux Indian 1900

Gertrude Käsebier captured this monochrome photograph of Amos Two Bulls, a Dakota Sioux Indian. The composition emphasizes the profile of Two Bulls, from his strong brow to the set of his jaw. Käsebier plays with light and shadow, creating depth in the subject's features and clothing. The photograph’s formal construction invites consideration of power dynamics and representation. Käsebier, as a white photographer, frames Two Bulls, an indigenous man. Through the lens of semiotics, his profile, adorned with traditional attire like feathers and jewelry, acts as a signifier of identity and cultural heritage. Yet, the photographer and the context of the photograph also act as signifiers, suggesting the appropriation of indigenous culture. Käsebier’s work challenges us to acknowledge how the act of portraying someone involves not just aesthetics but the negotiation of cultural narratives. We can view this photograph as a historical artifact reflecting the complex interplay of identity, representation, and power.