Edward Sheriff Curtis (1868–1952) created a significant documentary record of North American Indian tribes during the early 20th century, resulting in "The North American Indian" series, funded by J.P. Morgan and endorsed by Theodore Roosevelt. Curtis's work features close-up portraits, landscapes, and depictions of ceremonies and daily life intended as an anthropological resource. His project includes photographs of over 80 tribes, capturing the American West and studio portraiture typical of Pictorialist photography. Though Curtis aimed to document a 'vanishing race,' these cultures have flourished, enhancing the historical and cultural value of his work today.
