1. Ben Wittick, [ Dance Santo Domingo ], 1897 C, Silver Collodion Print 5x8" ASG# BW2/1369 Identified in writing verso by trader Rex Arrowsmith as being at Santo Domingo. Here the dancers are circling in the plaza

2. Ben Wittick, [ Dance Jemez ],1897 C, Silver Collodion Print 5x8" ASG# BW2/1371 Identified in writing verso by trader Rex Arrowsmith as Jemez Pueblo, this view shows a large procession heading away from the plaza. A hot day with lots of umbrellas for shade.

These 2 large views show dancers and bystanders, many with umbrellas, performing traditional rituals at two New Mexico Indian Pueblos

Provenance: From the collection of legendary Santa Fe American Indian Art and Trader Rex Arrowsmith, who was active from the late 1940s until his death in 2017.

G. Ben Wittick (b. 1845 Huntington County, Pennsylvania; d. 1903, Ft. Wingate, New Mexico). A prominent 19th century regional photographer, Wittick had his first studio in Moline, Illinois. He was very successful in marketing as his photographs were more reminiscent of earlier delegation photographs and field views of the Geologic Survey photographers. Primarily he made scenic images of natural wonders of the Southwest, as well as Indian life among the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni. He became known as the first photographer to make images of the Hopi Snake Dance. When he died in 1903 while collecting rattlesnakes for the Hopi Snake Dance it was said that the words of the snake priest from years before predicting his death at the fangs of a snake had been fulfilled. Wittick's formats ranged from albumen print stereo cards to silver prints up to 11 x 14". He was friends of John Hillers and published Hillers images under his imprint

BW2/1269 Santo Domingo Indian Dancers, NM, Excellent very rich tones, vignette image, minor wear, abrasions and soiling., corner-wear and light discoloration of mount.
BW2/1271 Jemez Pueblo Procession, Excellent. Very rich tones, very minor wear, wear to mount corners and fold on left side of mount, does not impact print