I am writing about the Edward Curtis portrait Apache Nalin. In this picture I feel that Edward Curtis is trying to convey an image of unresolved confusion. I don't feel that Curtis is trying to express one particular thing but a blur of several thoughts. Curtis is not trying to prove a point but is providing an image that provokes several chains of thoughts that represent the native american situation on the whole. This is an image that stirs up many mixed emotions.
The first thought I had when I looked at this picture was as simple as "is this a boy or a girl?" From the picture I cannot come to a conclusion. The native american is not very old. The result of this young age is no definite facial features that express one gender or another firmly. On top of this the figure is heavily clad in clothing so no other evidence can be found to support either argument. The fact that the person has long hair doesn't offer any help in the issue because it wasn't uncommon for native american males to have long hair. I feel that most people would have the same reaction to this photograph. This makes the viewer of the portrait both frustrated with the inability to figure out the answer and a bit ashamed for not having a stronger understanding of the native americans to be able to deduce that same answer. It's easy for the reader to pay the photo no more attention at the result of not even being able to figure out the simplest detail of the image. However, I can also see some readers being stirred with curiosity and becoming absorbed with the photograph and exploring the other mysteries it contains.
The layout of this photograph is one of these many mysteries. Native americans as far as I'm aware are usually captured in a natural environment in some sort of action. Native americans are usually hunting or riding a horse or placed in some sort of natural environment related within most white peoples minds of that typical to the people. In this photograph however the figure is just standing or sitting still looking at the camera. The background consists of nothing more than a dark wall or some kind of screen the photographer sets up when taking pictures. It makes the viewer feel as if the person is out of context. This could very easily symbolize how the white man has removed the native americans from their environment and is forcing them to relocate to places to which they don't belong. At the same time the dark wall in the background could be one of the dark mud in which some native americans used to build their houses. If this is the case, then the person in the photograph is in a natural setting.
The person in this photograph is wearing all sorts of decoration on their body. The person has something that appears to be pierced into his forehead that hangs down almost to their eyebrows. The figure is wearing a top that has frill or some sort of intricate decoration on the shoulder area. Around the neck hangs an excessive amount of jewelry that appears to be uncomfortable. Also the person's hair is parted in a way that is not necessarily neat but is definitely not messy. All this body decoration creates a weird mood for the viewer. It puts the reader in a questioning state of mind. One question that come to mind consists of whether this person naturally dresses like this or if it was done just because the photograph was about to be taken. The hair being parted could be something that Edward Curtis did to the person to make them appear more pleasing for the photograph or it could be an attempt by the person to clean up and look respectable or even similar to the white men for the picture. The jewelry itself could be a sign of wealth or attainment or a sign of culture and sentimental meanings to the person wearing them.
The most puzzling thing about this picture is the person's face. It's not clear what kind of expression the figure is making. The eyes portray both a deep sadness and a wide open unafraid look. The face is not forming a distinct smile or frown. In a way the face looks solemn but in another way it looks very proud. In my mind I picture native americans representing all of these emotions.
I do not believe Edward Curtis tried to make this portrait relate anything in particular. Instead I feel that he wanted to convey an image that stirred all sorts of emotion and on a whole provoked deeper thought and curiosity to the people that this person came from.
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