The First Americans: Photographs from the Library of Congress (Library of Congress Classics) - Hardcover

Library Of Congress; Goetzmann, William H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0912347961 ISBN 13: 9780912347967

Publisher: Starwood Pub, 1991

Synopsis

A collection of photographs of Native Americans from the Library of Congress' collection

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

This volume demonstrates that melodramatic images created by commercial photographers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries perpetuated fallacies about Native Americans. Goetzmann ( Exploration and Empire ) selects photos of "real Indians" and costumed actors, and explains how professional photographers and artists interpreted Native American culture according to classical and romantic ideals. The work of Edward S. Curtis, who attempted to document the tribal way of life, is well represented here: he depicts braves on horseback riding to war, captures humble dwellings against dramatic mountain backgrounds and shoots portraits of melancholy individuals. We see members of Wild West shows, sacred ceremonies treated as tourist attractions, George Trager's sensationalistic images of the dead at Wounded Knee and staged scenes inspired by movies. Goetzmann points out the sentimental elements that encourage misinterpretation of Native American history.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Starwood Pub
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0912347961
• ISBN 13: 9780912347967
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 144