Description:

Edward Sheriff Curtis (American, 1868-1952). "In the Gray Morning - San Ildefonso" photogravure on Japanese paper, 1905. Photogravure produced in Cambridge, Massachusetts by Suffolk Engraving Company. "Plate 591" printed above image. "From Copyright Photograph 1905 by E.S. Curtis" and "Photogravure Suffolk Eng. Co. Cambridge, Mass." printed beneath image. This serene photogravure depicts a San Ildefonso Pueblo woman kneeling along the riverbank, her reflection softly mirrored in the still water as she gathers it into a small vessel. The muted light and low horizon evoke a quiet intimacy between figure and landscape, hallmarks of Curtis's most poetic compositions. Size of photo: 15.75" W x 12.75" H (40 cm x 32.4 cm); of frame: 24.75" W x 21.25" H (62.9 cm x 54 cm)

Part of Curtis's monumental project "The North American Indian," this image exemplifies his mastery of photogravure printing and his deep respect for the dignity and endurance of Native peoples. His work with the San Ildefonso Pueblo, one of New Mexico's Tewa-speaking communities, sought to document traditional lifeways at a moment of profound cultural change. The composition's delicate tonal gradations and contemplative mood reflect Curtis's belief that photography could serve as both art and ethnography - preserving not only appearance but spirit. Printed on fine Japanese tissue, this early 20th-century impression retains the warmth and clarity that make Curtis's original gravures among the most sought-after photographic works of their time.

Provenance: private Anahola, Hawaii, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 1990s

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#197932

  • Condition: Mounted behind glass in custom matte and frame; has not been examined outside of glass. Pull to lower left of paper with creasing along lower area as shown. Otherwise nice condition with clear imagery. Fame in good condition with suspension wire on verso for display.

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October 17, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
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