Photography

Leica 35mm Camera

The millions of photographs in the Museum's collections compose a vast mosaic of the nation's history. Photographs accompany most artifact collections. Thousands of images document engineering projects, for example, and more record the steel, petroleum, and railroad industries.

Some 150,000 images capture the history, art, and science of photography. Nineteenth-century photography, from its initial development by W. H. F. Talbot and Louis Daguerre, is especially well represented and includes cased images, paper photographs, and apparatus. Glass stereographs and news-service negatives by the Underwood & Underwood firm document life in America between the 1890s and the 1930s. The history of amateur photography and photojournalism are preserved here, along with the work of 20th-century masters such as Richard Avedon and Edward Weston. Thousands of cameras and other equipment represent the technical and business side of the field.

Name: Kasebier, Gertrude

Short Man, Sioux Indian

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.020
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.020

Samuel Lone Bear, Sioux Indian, standing

In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work.
Description
In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work. Käsebier was on the threshold of a career that would establish her as both the leading portraitist of her time and an extraordinary art photographer. Her new undertaking was inspired by viewing the grand parade of Buffalo Bill's Wild West troupe en route to Madison Square Garden for several weeks of performances.
Käsebier had spent her childhood on the Great Plains, and retained many vivid, happy memories of playing with nearby Native American children. She quickly sent a letter to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917), requesting permission to photograph Sioux Indians traveling with the show in her studio. Within weeks, Käsebier began a unique and special project photographing the Indian men, women, and children, formally and informally. Friendships developed, and her photography of these Native Americans continued for more than a decade.
Samuel Lone Bear developed the closest lasting friendship with photographer Gertrude Käsebier following this initial portrait sitting in April 1898. "Sammy" was educated at a Government Indian School and wrote letters to Käsebier in English over many years, dated as late as 1912. Käsebier's granddaughter Mina Turner remembered vividly one visit to a Wild West show performance, and having Sammy pull her from the ground for a horseback ride around the arena with him. "Granny" waved happily from the stands.
Lone Bear stands alone for the third portrait in a series in the midst of the 5th Avenue studio, a table covered in white behind. Embroidered American flags decorate his blanket border.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.034
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.034

Native American man

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.237.16
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.237.16

Kills Close to the Lodge, Sioux Indian

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.049
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.049

Native American men drawing

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.237.03
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.237.03

Sioux Indian drawing of horse by Philip S. Soldier

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.238.10
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.238.10

Red Horn Bull, Sioux Indian

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.043
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.043

Sioux Man

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.237.05
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.237.05

Chief Iron Tail, Sioux Indian, in Feather Headdress

In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work.
Description
In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work. Käsebier was on the threshold of a career that would establish her as both the leading portraitist of her time and an extraordinary art photographer. Her new undertaking was inspired by viewing the grand parade of Buffalo Bill's Wild West troupe en route to Madison Square Garden for several weeks of performances.
Käsebier had spent her childhood on the Great Plains, and retained many vivid, happy memories of playing with nearby Native American children. She quickly sent a letter to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917), requesting permission to photograph Sioux Indians traveling with the show in her studio. Within weeks, Käsebier began a unique and special project photographing the Indians men, women, and children, formally and informally. Friendships developed, and her photography of these Native Americans continued for more than a decade.
Chief Iron Tail was the elder chief in the group of Sioux Indians selected by Buffalo Bill Cody to visit Gertrude Käsebier's photography studio. Iron Tail was a veteran of the Indian Wars, including the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Later, he became friendly with Buffalo Bill and traveled with the Wild West troupe for almost 20 years. Iron Tail was among several Native Americans whose profile inspired the face appearing on the United States buffalo nickel early in the 20th century.
Chief Iron Tail surprisingly agreed to remove his feather war bonnet for the portrait sitting with Käsebier, although the headdress and feathers were badges of his place and importance within the tribe. The photographer hoped to achieve "raw" photographs of each Sioux Indian, representing their individuality and personal character. Käsebier was pleased with her results and made a copy of the finished print for the chief. When Iron Tail saw the print, he immediately tore it in half, upset with the image. He later sat for Käsebier in full regalia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.039
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.039

Flying Hawk, Sioux Indian

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.080
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.080

Willie Spotted Horse, Sioux Indian child

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.085
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.085

Whirling Horse, Sioux Indian

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.074
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.074

Native American man

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.237.08
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.237.08

Sioux Indian drawing by Joe Black Fox

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.238.09
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.238.09

Girl with a mirror

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1910
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.73.16
catalog number
73.16
accession number
306581

Whirling Hawk, Sioux Indian

In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work.
Description
In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work. Käsebier was on the threshold of a career that would establish her as both the leading portraitist of her time and an extraordinary art photographer. Her new undertaking was inspired by viewing the grand parade of Buffalo Bill's Wild West troupe en route to Madison Square Garden for several weeks of performances.
Käsebier had spent her childhood on the Great Plains, and retained many vivid, happy memories of playing with nearby Native American children. She quickly sent a letter to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917), requesting permission to photograph Sioux Indians traveling with the show in her studio. Within weeks, Käsebier began a unique and special project photographing the Indian men, women, and children, formally and informally. Friendships developed, and her photography of these Native Americans continued for more than a decade.
Young Whirling Hawk sat for his photograph against the darkest of the backdrops used by Käsebier. Studio lighting highlights his profile and details on the bone breast-plate, intricate embroidery of the vest, feathers, headdress, and armbands.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.055
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.055

Kills First, Sioux Indian

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.015
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.015

Sioux Indian drawing by Joe Black Fox

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.238.07
accession number
287543

Baron de Meyer, Newport

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.73.15.02
accession number
306580
catalog number
73.15.02

Iron Tail without His Feathers

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.237.10
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.237.10

Zitkala Sa, Sioux Indian and activist

In addition to photographing of Sioux performers sent by Buffalo Bill Cody to her studio, Käsebier was able to arrange a portrait session with Zitkala Sa, "Red Bird," also known as Gertrude Simmons (1876-1938), a Yankton Sioux woman of Native American and white mixed ancestry.
Description
In addition to photographing of Sioux performers sent by Buffalo Bill Cody to her studio, Käsebier was able to arrange a portrait session with Zitkala Sa, "Red Bird," also known as Gertrude Simmons (1876-1938), a Yankton Sioux woman of Native American and white mixed ancestry. She was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, like many of the Sioux traveling with the Wild West show. Well educated, she studied at reservation schools, the Carlisle Indian School, Earlham College in Indiana, and the Boston Conservatory of Music. Zitkala Sa became an accomplished author, musician, composer, and dedicated worker for the reform of United States Indian policies.
Käsebier photographed Zitkala Sa in tribal dress and western clothing, clearly identifying the two worlds in which this woman lived and worked. In many of the images, Zitkala Sa holds her violin or a book, further indicating her interests. Käsebier experimented with backdrops, including a Victorian floral print, and photographic printing. She used the painterly gum-bichromate process for several of these images, adding increased texture and softer tones to the photographs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.109
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.109

Rose O'Neil

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.73.15.23
accession number
306580
catalog number
73.15.23

Sitting Holy, Sioux Indian

In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work.
Description
In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work. Käsebier was on the threshold of a career that would establish her as both the leading portraitist of her time and an extraordinary art photographer. Her new undertaking was inspired by viewing the grand parade of Buffalo Bill's Wild West troupe en route to Madison Square Garden for several weeks of performances.
Käsebier had spent her childhood on the Great Plains, and retained many vivid, happy memories of playing with nearby Native American children. She quickly sent a letter to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917), requesting permission to photograph in her studio the Sioux Indians traveling with the show. Within weeks, Käsebier began a unique and special project photographing the Indian men, women, and children, formally and informally. Friendships developed, and her photography of these Native Americans continued for more than a decade.
This man is identified on the photographer's mounts both as Kills Close to the Lodge and Sitting Holy. The original Käsebier negative held by the Library of Congress alternately identifies this Sioux Indian as Luke Big Turnips.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.052
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.052

Flying Horse, Sioux Indian

In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work.
Description
In 1898 New York photographer Gertrude Käsebier (1852-1934) embarked on a deeply personal project, creating a set of prints that rank among the most compelling of her celebrated body of work. Käsebier was on the threshold of a career that would establish her as both the leading portraitist of her time and an extraordinary art photographer. Her new undertaking was inspired by viewing the grand parade of Buffalo Bill's Wild West troupe en route to Madison Square Garden for several weeks of performances.
Käsebier had spent her childhood on the Great Plains, and retained many vivid, happy memories of playing with nearby Native American children. She quickly sent a letter to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846-1917), requesting permission to photograph Sioux Indians traveling with the show in her studio. Within weeks, Käsebier began a unique and special project photographing the Indian men, women, and children, formally and informally. Friendships developed, and her photography of these Native Americans continued for more than a decade.
Flying Horse, appears in a close-up, profile view. Käsebier uses natural studio light to reflect strongly on his face and the light-colored feathers and beads of his vest and hair, contrasting with his dark clothing and the light wall.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1898
maker
Kasebier, Gertrude
ID Number
PG.69.236.038
accession number
287543
catalog number
69.236.038

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