Washington-Ute Chief 1866 - 1890

Editor: This is a photograph of Washington, a Ute Chief, taken by William Chamberlain. The mix of traditional attire with the bowler hat makes me wonder about the context. What do you see in this portrait? Curator: It's a striking example of how photography was used to construct narratives about Native Americans in the 19th century. The subject is styled for the camera, creating a mediated representation. Editor: Mediated in what way? Curator: Consider the clothing, for instance. It speaks to the complex relationship between the Ute people and the encroaching American culture. How does this image reflect broader power dynamics? Editor: It does seem like a forced representation of identity, a visual tool to otherize. Curator: Precisely. Recognizing the photographer's role in shaping this image shifts our understanding of its historical value. Editor: I see it now. It's a valuable, yet complicated, document.