Outsider, Folk, Contemporary & Fine Art

CURTIS, Edward Sheriff (American, 1868-1952). A Walpi Man. “Meator” (A Moki Chief). 1903. Large platinum print. Signed in ink lower right. Blindstamp copyrighted 1903 E.S. Curtis, lower left. Negative is copyrighted 1903 / +58. Image appeared as Plate 424 in Curtis’ Portfolio 12, “The North American Indian, Vol. 12. The Hopi,” and has been utilized as a prime example in several other publications featuring Curtis’ work. Image 15 x 10 ¾”; frame 27 x 23”. Minor visual indication recto of original adhesive remnants verso at perimeter edges. Evidence of ghosting from a different print on verso. Image is bright and crisp with deep tones; presents very well. This image is considered one of Curtis’ most historically and aesthetically significant works. Meator, the subject of this image, was an important Hopi leader from a group Curtis became very close with. Platinum prints of this image are extremely rare and are highly sought after, with platinum prints constituting less than half of one percent of extant Curtis prints. All proceeds benefit the Howard L. Gottlieb Foundation, which has been supporting nonprofit organizations in the fine arts since 2015.