Antelope-Agent Meeker's Murderer 1875 - 1879

Curator: This is a portrait of Antelope, labeled as “Agent Meeker’s Murderer," by William Chamberlain. The mount measures about 16.5 x 10.8 cm. Editor: The gaze is so direct, unflinching. It makes me think about the weight of the label inscribed below: "Murderer." Curator: Yes, and consider how photography, even then, served to fix identities. The materials used here—photographic print on card—were relatively accessible, creating wider distribution of such images. Editor: It's chilling to see how the image becomes a tool of power. The blanket, seemingly innocuous, speaks to me of trade, forced exchange, perhaps even dispossession inherent in that historical moment. What do you see beyond the obvious? Curator: The subject's braids and stoic posture, framed within that oval, evoke a sense of both dignity and defeat. It's a potent combination, hinting at cultural resistance and the psychological impact of conflict. Editor: It makes you wonder what kind of story this image tells us and who is truly served by telling it. Curator: Indeed. This simple card holds a multitude of questions, unsettling historical narratives about the West.