“HOMEWARD”

1898

This was one of Curtis’ earliest Native American photographs and also one of his first award winning images. Thus, this photograph, taken in Puget Sound, is historically one of Curtis’ most important and played a key role in the evolution of his career. This canoe was made from a single dugout tree trunk. Canoes were extremely important to many Native American tribes and particularly so in the Pacific Northwest, where survival was often dependent on food gathered in the sea from canoes. The dramatic qualities of the clouds and sky are vividly captured by the goldtone process.