Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Unidentified Man or Men
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
ca. 1905
Medium
albumen and silver nitrocellulose on paper (fiber product) cardboard
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 4 7/16 x 6 5/8 in. (11.2 x 16.8 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 5 1/8 x 7 1/16 in. (13 x 17.9 cm)
H x W (Mount): 7 1/16 x 9 in. (17.9 x 22.9 cm)
Caption
This picture of American western entertainers, particularly notable for its display of ethnic and gender diversity, is an example of the uniqueness that also characterized the internationally popular Buffalo Bill’s performing Congress of Rough Riders of the World. The Riders consisted largely of former U. S. and foreign military veterans, recruited to re-enact a highly sensationalized, literal “theater” of wars, skirmishes, weapons and equestrian skill. Traveling troupes like the one pictured, created profound impressions of race relations in and beyond the Americas that last to this day.
Description
An albumen print depicting Wild West Performers. Captured outdoors, the image shows a large crowd of diverse individuals, both men and women, arranged sitting and standing in groups along riser seating, a long curtain strung behind them. Prominently featured in the back center is a teepee structure with several individuals in indigenous American style dress, some with feather headdress. In the center middle, below the teepee structure, is a group of white men in dark suits, and below them is a group of men in military style dress with tall hats, some holding musical instruments. Sitting on the ground at bottom center is a group of white women, some dressed as cowgirls. Among the crowd on the left side are more individuals in varied Native American dress, men in white turbans, a group of men in Prussian military style uniforms with eagle insignias on their hats, a group of men in sombreros, and a group of men dressed as cowboys and vaqueros, two holding lasso ropes. Among the crowd on the right side are more individuals in a variety of styles of American Indian dress, a black man holding a tuba, individuals in draped keffiyeh-style headscarves, and, along the bottom, a group of young men in light colored jackets, pants, tall spats, and hats reading [OZ], holding rifles. On the reverse of the photograph are various numerical inscriptions made in graphite.
Place depicted
United States, North and Central America
Cultural Place
Mexico, Latin America, North and Central America
Argentina, Latin America, South America
Russia, Europe
Germany, Europe
Middle East
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
albumen prints
portraits
Topic
Actors
American West
Amusements
Buffalo Soldiers
Entertainers
International affairs
Military
Musicians
Photography
Race relations
U.S. History, 1865-1921
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2013.244.38
Restrictions & Rights
Public Domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50e768247-e65e-4531-9af1-37c7361d45e9

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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