Joseph Nez Perce

While the other more widely known portrait of Chief Joseph comes from the larger size original print in the folio, this rarer highly sought after portrait of Chief Joseph comes from the small original print in Curtis’s text volume book. Curtis was surprised and elated when Joseph came to his studio in Seattle asking for Curtis to photograph him. Chief Joseph was highly respected by other Native American Indians and whites alike, particularly, the US Cavalry officers who admired his leadership abilities. He became close friends with Curtis. Joseph realized Edward Curtis was going to keep his people’s memory alive with respect. Because of Joseph’s trust, word spread among the western tribal nations and helped Curtis connect with numerous other native peoples that he otherwise would not have had access to.