Artist: Edward S. Curtis (American, 1868-1952)
Title: A Partially Cut Up Whale, volume 11, p. 36
Date: 1915
Medium: Photogravure on Dutch Van Gelder paper
Dimensions: image: 14 x 18 cm.
Acquired by: Dubuque Cultural Preservation Committee, an Iowa general partnership, consisting of Dr. Darryl K. Mozena, Jeffrey P. Mozena, Mark Falb, Timothy J. Conlon, and Dr. Randy Lengeling
Image courtesy of: Northwestern University Library. Edward S. Curtis’ “The North American Indian,” 2003. . Web.
Interesting fact about the Photographer: Curtis worked so hard to make his film, In the Land of the Head-Hunters, a success. At one point in the film, Curtis wanted to show the Kwakiutl people participating in a whale hunt. Even though this was not part of the Kwakiutl tradition, Curtis felt that it would add drama to the film. While at a whaling station in the Queen Charlotte Islands, Curtis rented a large dead whale and dragged it through the sea to film his movie in Vancouver. (from: Makepeace, Anne. Edward S. Curtis Coming to Light. Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2002. Print.)