The Seaweed Gatherer 1915

This is Edward S. Curtis’s photogravure, "The Seaweed Gatherer." Curtis began photographing Native Americans in the late 19th century, driven by a belief that their way of life was disappearing. Through a Western lens, Curtis sought to document what he thought were authentic traditions. The Seaweed Gatherer, like many of his photographs, presents a romanticized vision, one which overlooks the complex realities of the Native experience, including the impact of colonization. Here, a woman stands at the water’s edge, her gaze directed outward. Her traditional dress and the tools of her trade—a basket and paddle—speak to a connection with the land and its resources. Yet, we must consider how Curtis, as an outsider, shaped this narrative. His work raises questions about representation, cultural preservation, and the power dynamics inherent in photography. By engaging with Curtis’s images critically, we can reflect on whose stories are told and how they are framed.