Nayenezgani, Navajo (c.1904 CE)
At first glance, the photograph appears to depict a mythic being standing solemnly before us. In reality, it portrays a Navajo (Diné) man embodying Nayenezgani, the revered “Monster Slayer” of Navajo cosmology.
North America
Artworks and artifacts from North America, spanning indigenous cultures to modern creations. This collection captures the diverse craftsmanship and cultural narratives of the continent’s rich history.
Singing Deeds of Valor, Oglala Lakota (c.1908 CE)
The photograph Singing Deeds of Valor, Oglala Lakota captures a poignant scene of two Oglala Lakota men from the Dakota nation deeply engaged in playing hand drums outside a traditional tipi, set in the expansive Great Plains landscape.
For Strength and Visions, Crow (1908 CE)
Leaning slightly backward, he is tethered by leather strips pierced through his chest to a pole anchored by rocks, embodying a moment of intense sacrifice that blends pain, devotion, and the quest for visions.
Albert Einstein Sticks Out His Tongue (1951 CE)
Taken on 72nd birthday, this black-and-white image shows Albert Einstein in a lighthearted, unconventional pose that has come to symbolize his eccentric charm and nonconformist spirit.
The Critic (1943 CE)
The Critic was created on November 22, 1943, during the height of World War II, when the United States was deeply involved in global conflict, yet New York's elite maintained their opulent lifestyles.
Bandit’s Roost, Mulberry Street (c. 1888 CE)
This black-and-white photograph depicts a group of young men, likely affiliated with local street gangs, posing defiantly in a narrow, shadowy alleyway known as Bandit’s Roost in the notorious Five Points neighborhood.
Cotton Mill Girl (1908 CE)
The Cotton Mill Girl (Sadie Pfeifer), 1908 is one of the most arresting images produced by Lewis Hine. The photograph shows a frail young girl standing beside an enormous cotton-spinning machine in a South Carolina mill.
Migrant Mother (1936 CE)
Widowed in 1931 and responsible for seven children by 1936, this mother was part of the vast internal migration of American families forced to travel in search of seasonal agricultural work during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl years.
Pinkerton, President Lincoln and McClernand (1862 CE)
The photograph originated during President Lincoln's inspection visit to the Union Army's encampment at Antietam, Maryland, following the Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg) on September 17, 1862.
Acrobats Balance on Top of the Empire State Building (1934 CE)
The photo depicts three acrobats, known as the Three Jacksons, performing a precarious balancing act on the narrow ledge of the Empire State Building's 86th-floor observation deck, 1,050 feet (320 meters) above the streets of Manhattan.
Lunch Atop A Skyscraper (1932 CE)
Taken during the height of the Great Depression, this daring scene, set 850 feet (259 meters) above ground, showcases not only the remarkable engineering feats of the era but also the fearless spirit of the workers involved in building skyscrapers.
Sioux Chiefs (c.1905 CE)
The Sioux chiefs in the photograph represen leadership from this era. Sioux society operated through a council system rather than a single ruler, with chiefs selected based on qualities like wisdom, bravery, generosity, and strategic ability.