Edward S. Curtis "The Bowman" 1916 Photogravure on Gampi Tissue, Plate 365, Nootka Archer, Cardozo Collection

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Description

An original vintage photogravure from Edward S. Curtis's The North American Indian, Portfolio XI (published 1916), "The Bowman," one of … 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