Edward S. Curtis "The Bowman" Photogravure on Gampi Tissue, 1916 — Nootka Archer, Cardozo Collection

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An original vintage photogravure from Edward S. Curtis's The North American Indian, Portfolio XI (published 1916) — "The Bowman," one … Read more An original vintage photogravure from Edward S. Curtis's The North American Indian, Portfolio XI (published 1916) — "The Bowman," one of Curtis's most celebrated and widely reproduced images. A Nootka (Nuu-chah-nulth) man stands drawing his bow at full extension beside a great rock, the still water and forested shore dissolving into atmosphere behind him — a sculptural, almost classical study of the human figure in motion, among the most dramatic compositions in the entire work.

Printed on Japanese gampi tissue — the rarest and most expensive of the three handmade papers Curtis used, reserved for the deluxe edition — chine-collé mounted, as issued, to its original Holland Van Gelder support sheet. A large folio portfolio plate, plate-printed in Boston by John Andrew & Son after Curtis's 1915 copyright photograph.

A genuine period printing, not a later restrike. The Nootka images were later restruck on "tweedweave" paper (Sorini/Lauriat, 1966–67) and by others, but the gampi tissue, John Andrew & Son plate credit, crisp plate impression, and documented Cardozo provenance confirm an original vintage gravure.
Inscriptions, as issued in the plate: Plate 365 (upper left); THE BOWMAN (lower left); From Copyright Photograph 1915 by E.S. Curtis (lower center); Photogravure John Andrew & Son (lower right).

Details: Photogravure on Japanese gampi tissue, mounted to Holland Van Gelder · The North American Indian, Portfolio XI, Plate 365 · Published 1916, from a 1915 copyright photograph
Sheet 22 × 18 in.
Unframed.

Provenance: The Moore Collection; The Christopher G. Cardozo Collection (inv. CCI-111223c); Now in private Colorado collection See less