Gertrude Käsebier’s 1898 Native American portraits
Käsebier’s lived connection to the Oceti Sakowin (Sioux)
Joe Black Fox with a cigarette. A studio portrait taken in 1898 by Gertrude Käsebier in her New York studio. Joe Black Fox was touring as part of Bill Cody’s Wild West troupe and Käsebier arranged for members of the troupe to visit her studio and there she took a series of individual and group photos. Käsebier’s photographic interest was artistic, and personal, and she deliberately did not license the images to Cody, The Wild West Show, or any other commercial ventures.
Gertrude Käsebier had a lived connection to the Oceti Sakowin (Sioux) and growing up in Colorado remembered the kindness and affection they showed her and her family. Käsebier’s granddaughter, Mina Turner later remarked, “She felt they were the only truly honest people she knew.”
Wonderful image! I wish I could have a cup of tea and a chat with this man. What would he have to say, I wonder?
Those expressions! As if he's sitting right next to us. Thank you as always for sharing your discoveries.