Hollow Horn Bear 1907

Edward S. Curtis's 1907 photogravure "Hollow Horn Bear" portrays the stoic gaze of a Native American man. Curtis, renowned for his documentation of Native American life in the early 20th century, used a portrait format to emphasize the individual, showcasing his subject's weathered face and traditional attire, which includes beaded ornamentation. The photograph, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, represents a significant piece within Curtis's broader photographic project, "The North American Indian". His work aimed to capture the fading cultures and traditions of indigenous peoples across the continent, serving as a powerful visual record of their history.