John Abbott - Osage
Artist
Edward S. Curtis
(American, 1868 - 1952)
Engraver
Suffolk Engraving Company
(American, active early 20th century)
Datecopyright 1927
Mediumphotogravure on paper
Dimensions22 1/8 × 17 3/4 inches (56.2 × 45.1 cm)
Other (Plate): 17 5/8 × 12 7/8 inches (44.8 × 32.7 cm)
Other (Plate): 17 5/8 × 12 7/8 inches (44.8 × 32.7 cm)
Credit LinePurchase of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, 2013
Object number2013.2.19.30
ClassificationsPhotographs
Label Text“The Osage . . . Is a Siouan tribe—the wealthiest of all Indians.” Curtis surmised they were “probably the richest people in the world, population considered.” He noted that about twenty years ago the conditions were different. The Osage “were characteristically poor.” They drew “scant sustenance from limited agriculture and hunting.” Curtis visited the Osage in 1926. Their economic position had changed. They had “great wealth derived from oil and minerals.”
ProvenanceAcquired by subscription directly from the artist by the National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.[1]; purchased December 6, 2012 through (Christies, New York, New York,[2]) by (Arader Galleries, New York, New York); purchased June 10, 2013 through (Arader Galleries, New York, New York) by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art | [1] This set was stored in the National Geographic Society’s archive housed in the Society’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. | [2] "The National Geographic Collection: The Art of Exploration," December 6, 2012, Christie’s, New York, Rockefeller Plaza, sale 2603, lot 65
On View
Not on view
