De Lancey W. Gill Photographs

Collection

Identifier: PAAC-0033

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This small collection of 47 images consists entirely of contact prints made using the high-quality platinotype (platinum) process, which results in very "expressive" images due to its long tonal range. These prints represent his simplest and most direct portrait photographs of Native Americans visiting Washington in full ceremonial regalia (sometimes borrowed).

Dates

1894 - 1930

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to researchers on a request basis only, pending approval of request to view original material.

Copy Restrictions

User responsible for all copyright compliance. Permission to publish must be obtained from Photo Archives. Form to request permission available at: https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/collections/photo-archives/order-photos

Biographical Information

From the 1850s through 1930s, Washington D.C. was a center for photography of Native Americans as many tribal leaders made their way to the capital to meet with government officials regarding their peoples' affairs. These visitors were frequently photographed by Alexander Gardner, Charles M. Bell and John K. Hillers to name a few. De Lancey W. Gill was the last photographer to work with Native Americans in this way. He worked up to 1930, making more portraits than all his predecessors combined. Originally an illustrator for the USGS, he advanced quickly to become the head of the illustration section, supervising photographers working on USGS surveys. It was during this time he began working with John K. Hillers making his first portraits, beginning with a group of Assiniboin people visiting Washington in 1894. Shortly after this he transferred to Smithsonian’s Bureau of American Ethnology where he began taking portraits in earnest, sometimes as many as 300 a year. He had several sources that made sure all visiting Native Americans found their way to his studio to be photographed for ethnographic study. His total production during his tenure is estimated at between 2000 – 3000 portraits. De Lancey Gill was born in Camden, South Carolina in 1859 and died in August 1940 after a fall in his home in Alexandria, Virginia.