Unidentified Native American woman at piano

Title

Unidentified Native American woman at piano

Description

Portrait of an unidentified Native American woman. She is sitting in front of a painted studio backdrop of a piano, and is holding a magazine or newspaper. She was likely a former student at the Forest Grove Indian Training School. The choice of props may have been intended to symbolize her education in reading and music. The back of the photograph includes a handwritten note by the subject, describing herself as an "ugly girl" who worked hard, did dress-making, and was a musician. The note may have been addressed to Minerva "Minnie" J. Walker, whose husband Samuel was the shoemaking instructor at the school (see a similar inscription on the back of another photograph, PUApic_008315). The photograph is a tintype and was probably taken in the late 1880s. The tintype format was uncommon by that time, but it was cheap and easy to send in the mail.
Handwritten text on back: "You remember this ugly girl. but remember her handwork although she is ugly. one of your Dress-maker girl. in your sew room. also musician & c.

Date Created

1885-1889

Medium

Language

Identifier

PUApic_008381

Rights

Online access to this image is for research and educational purposes only. To inquire about permissions, order a reproduction, or for more information, please contact the Pacific University Archives at archives@pacificu.edu.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Source

Photo Image Collection, Pacific University Archives

Type

Still Image