Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952)
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Title:
Plate 141 Apsaroke Medicine Tipi
Date:
1905
Size:
Portfolio, 22 x 18 inches
Medium:
Vintage Photogravure
This image was taken by photographer Edward S. Curtis in 1909 and depicts a large Apsaroke Tipi. The tipi belonged to a medicine man who is pictured standing to the right of the structure. The Crow tribes were known to construct some of the largest tipis of all of the plains tribes and often tipis would be adorned inside and out with special imagery that was meaningful to the person or family who inhabits it.
Medicine men also used specific designs to adorn their tipis but they were specifically painted according to the medicine man’s visions. Medicine men would most likely receive visions while fasting. This particular tipi is painted dark red and also has various symbols on the covering. According to Edward Curtis in his North American Indian, no man would dare so to decorate a tipi without having received his instructions in revelation from the spirits.
This photograph was taken in 1909 and was printed on Dutch Van Gelder paper. The piece is now for sale at our Aspen Art Gallery.
Medicine men also used specific designs to adorn their tipis but they were specifically painted according to the medicine man’s visions. Medicine men would most likely receive visions while fasting. This particular tipi is painted dark red and also has various symbols on the covering. According to Edward Curtis in his North American Indian, no man would dare so to decorate a tipi without having received his instructions in revelation from the spirits.
This photograph was taken in 1909 and was printed on Dutch Van Gelder paper. The piece is now for sale at our Aspen Art Gallery.