The Terra Museum of American Art will host an exhibition by Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868-1952), whose seminal images came to define America's popular vision of Native American culture. Admission is free.
"The Master Prints of Edward S. Curtis: Portraits of Native America" will display 65 photographs, which were selected by Curtis himself for the exhibition called "The North American Indian" that traveled throughout the United States during the first decade of the 20th century. These magnificent 14 x 17 inch platinum prints testify to the artist's standing as a major American photographer.
The exhibit runs through Sept. 21, at Terra Museum of American Art, 664 N. Michigan Ave. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday —Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, and closed Monday.
By 1930 Curtis had studied more than 80 tribes and made more than 40,000 photographs. Yet much debate has swirled around the authenticity of Curtis' photography. Curtis was vilified by ethnologists for taking considerable liberties in portraying his subjects. He had tribal leaders wear anachronistic headdresses and costumes. He placed his subjects in highly idealized settings, often in dramatic pose. His re-created rituals and customs were at times inaccurate. He attempted the difficult feat of depicting a traditional Indian culture that was changing rapidly as a result of its contact with European Americans.
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