Explore Black History

ca. 1905

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.

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.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Photographs and Still Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2013.244.38

albumen prints
portraits

Public Domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

albumen and silver nitrocellulose on paper (fiber product) cardboard

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)

Object Name • Albumen photograph of Wild West Performers

nmaahc_2013.244.38

NMAAHC

ALBUMEN PHOTOGRAPH OF WILD WEST PERFORMERS

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1910s • 1890s

South America • Middle East • Argentina • United States • North and Central America • Europe • Mexico • Germany • Latin America • Russia

Photography • U.S. History, 1865-1921 • Amusements • Actors and actresses • American West • Buffalo Soldiers • Entertainers • International affairs • Race relations • Military

Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • Country • Mexico • Region • Latin America • Country • Argentina • Continent • South America • Country • Russia • Continent • Europe • Country • Germany • Region • Middle East

Portraits • Photographs

Images

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