Asahel Curtis Paintings

Asahel Curtis was an American photographer who is best known for his work depicting the early development of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, particularly Washington State. He was born in Minnesota in 1874 and was the younger brother of the renowned photographer Edward Sheriff Curtis, who famously documented Native American cultures.

Asahel Curtis moved to the state of Washington as a young child with his family, and his interest in photography blossomed while working as an assistant to his brother Edward. Despite the initial collaboration, the brothers eventually had a falling out, and Asahel set out to establish his own career in photography.

Throughout his life, Curtis was a prolific photographer, capturing images of cityscapes, landscapes, industrial scenes, and the daily life of people in the region. He was particularly interested in the natural beauty and economic development of Washington State, and his photographs often reflect a sense of wonder and appreciation for the area.

Curtis was an active member of the Seattle business community and participated in various organizations, including the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Rainier Club. His work was instrumental in promoting the Pacific Northwest and in supporting the burgeoning tourism industry.

He was also an avid mountaineer and a founding member of The Mountaineers, an outdoor and conservation organization in Washington State. His mountaineering expeditions allowed him to take stunning photographs of the region's mountains and wilderness, contributing to his reputation as an accomplished landscape photographer.

Asahel Curtis's photographic legacy is preserved through thousands of his images that continue to be a valuable resource for historians and the public, offering insights into the early 20th-century life in the Pacific Northwest. He continued to work until his death in 1941, leaving behind a rich visual history of a transformative period in this region of America.