Early Photography Archive

Name: Early Photography Archive
Creator: Analog Photo Today
License: Open-access data is CC0; public-domain images are served via IIIF links without redistribution.

The Early Photography Archive presents public-domain photographs from the Art Institute of Chicago photography and media collection, with artist, process and dating context, drawn from the CC0 API and refreshed monthly. Every record links the museum page and adds technique family, origin region and era labels from our pipeline.

Records: 4,070
Last changed: 09/02/2026
Update schedule: 27 5 2 * * UTC
Coverage: 03/03/2026–09/02/2026
Method: Methodology

Photograph	Artist	Date	Technique	Origin	On view
Aboriginal life among the Navajo Indians, Cañon de Chelle, New Mexico. Squaw weaving blankets. The native loom. The blankets made are of the best quality, and impervious to water, No. 26 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Navajo Indian Squaw, and Child, at their home, in Cañon de Chelle, No. 27 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Camp Beauty, Canñon de Chelle; walls 1.200 feet high, width of Cañon at this point about one fourth of a mile. This view shows the perpendicular effect wrought by the action of floods. The Artist of the Expedition, Mr. Wyant, of New York, made a study of this scene with the intention to paint it as a characteristic Canon view, No. 25 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Central portion of Canñon de Chelle, New Mexico. This Canñon is one of the most remarkable in the west, and is noted for its beauty. The walls are of Red Sand-stone, nearly perpendicular, and at this point are 1.200 feet in height, No. 24 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Explorers Column, Cañon de Chelle, Arizona. This shaft is the work of nature, and is about 900 feet in height; base about 70 by 110 feet. It stands near the center of the Cañon, and it is almost impossible to believe that it is not the work of human hands, No. 23 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Circle Walls, Cañon de Chelle. Here the Cañon bends from an easterly direction nearly due north, the walls maintaining a perpendicular height of about 1.200 feet, No. 22 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Ruins in Cañon de Chelle, N. M., in a cavity in the wall, 60 feet above present bed of Cañon. Height of walls about 700 feet. The present race of Indians know nothing of the age of these buildings of who occupied them, No. 21 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
War Chief of the Zuni Indians, No. 20 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Apache Indians, as they appear ready for the war-path, No. 33 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Cooley's Ranch, 10 miles east of Camp Apache, Arizona. A characteristic mountain "Park" and Apache Indian Farm. Here the Apaches grow corn, wheat and a few vegetables, No. 32 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Apache Lake, Summit of Sierra Blanca Mountains, about 35 miles east from Camp Apache, Arizona, and 10.500 feet above sea-level. This lake is similar to many found in the western mountains, No. 30 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Head of Cañon de Chelle, Looking Down. Walls about 1200 feet in height	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
The Church of San Miguel, the Oldest in Santa Fe, N.M.	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
The South Side of Inscription Rock	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Section of the South Side of Zuni Pueblo, N.M.	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Indian Pueblo, Zuni, N.M. View from the South	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Old Mission Church, Zuni Pueblo, N.M. View from the Plaza	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Looking Across the Colorado River to the Mouth of Paria Creek	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Cañon of the Colorado River, near Mouth of San Juan River, Arizona	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Cañon de Chelle, Walls of the Grand Cañon, about 1200 feet in height	Timothy O'Sullivan American, born Ireland, 1840–1882	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Untitled Postcard (Woman with Boy on Stand)	Artist unknown Probably French, 19th century	1873	printing_dyeing metalwork photography	Europe	false
Grand Inter-State Exposition, Chicago	Copelin and Son American, active late 19th century	October 1873	printing_dyeing metalwork photography	Americas	false
Grand Inter-State Exposition, Chicago	Copelin and Son American, active late 19th century	October 1873	printing_dyeing metalwork photography	Americas	false
Buffalo	C. Seaver, Jr. American, active 19th century	1873	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
Kurumba Man	Madras School of Arts photographer probably Indian, active 1870s	1873	printing_dyeing metalwork photography	Europe	false
Kuruba Man	James Wilkinson Breeks English, 1830–1872	1873	printing_dyeing metalwork photography	Europe	false
China and Its People	John Thomson Scottish, 1837–1921	1873	photography	Europe	false
China and Its People	John Thomson Scottish, 1837–1921	1873	photography	Europe	false
Aqudeuct Bridge, No. 19 from the series "Washington, D.C., and Vicinity"	J.W. & J.S. Moulton Americans, active 1873-1881	1873/81	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
View in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pa.	J.W. & J.S. Moulton Americans, active 1873-1881	1873/81	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
Landscape Avenue, Greenwood Cemetary	J.W. & J.S. Moulton Americans, active 1873-1881	1873/81	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
Vine Clad Arbor, No. 303 from the series "Boston, Mass., and Vicinity"	J.W. & J.S. Moulton Americans, active 1873-1881	1873/81	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
The Mall, No. 215 from the series "New York City & Vicinity"	J.W. & J.S. Moulton Americans, active 1873-1881	1873/81	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
Willow Road, Lanesville, Mass.	J.W. & J.S. Moulton Americans, active 1873-1881	1873/81	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
Fairmount Park Scenery, Philadelphia, Pa., from the series "Gems of American Scenery"	J.W. & J.S. Moulton Americans, active 1873-1881	1873/81	printing_dyeing photography	other	false
Untitled, from the series "Skeleton Leaves"	John P. Soule American, 1828–1904	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Untitled, from the series "Skeleton Leaves"	John P. Soule American, 1828–1904	1873	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Mrs. Herbert Duckworth with Gerald Duckworth	Julia Margaret Cameron English, 1815–1879	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Europe	false
Mrs. Herbert Duckworth with Florence Fisher, George Duckworth, and Herbert Fisher	Julia Margaret Cameron English, 1815–1879	August 1872	printing_dyeing photography	Europe	false
George Duckworth (Study for the Infant Saint John)	Julia Margaret Cameron English, 1815–1879	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Europe	false
Mrs. Rachael Gurney ("May God Bring Father Safely Home", "Three Fishers Went Sailing Into the Deep")	Julia Margaret Cameron English, 1815–1879	c. 1872/74	printing_dyeing photography	Europe	false
Mrs. Herbert Duckworth	Julia Margaret Cameron English, 1815–1879	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Europe	false
Mrs. Herbert Duckworth, ("A Beautiful Vision")	Julia Margaret Cameron English, 1815–1879	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Europe	false
Baron Isidore Justin Séverin Taylor (Belgian playwright and travel writer, 1789-1878)	Nadar (Gaspard Félix Tournachon) French, 1820–1910	1872/75	woodwork	Europe	false
"The Bath," a dripping spring in Kanab Cañon. Temperature, 69° Fahr, No. 9 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	William H. Bell (American, 1830-1910) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
The Cañon of Kanab Creek, near its junction with the Grand Cañon of the Colorado. In the foreground is a dripping spring affording a shower bath. Temperature, 69° Fahr, No. 8 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	William H. Bell (American, 1830-1910) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
Mouth of the Paria, Colorado River; walls 2.100 feet in height, No. 11 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	William H. Bell (American, 1830-1910) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
The northern wall of the Grand Cañon of the Colorado, near the foot of To-ro-weap valley. The rounded rocks of the foreground are sand-stone, No. 14 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	William H. Bell (American, 1830–1910) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
The mouth of Kanab Creek. The beds of the Colorado River and its tributary here lie in gorges cut by the running water to the depth of about 3.500 feet below the general surgace of the country. The highest point seen in the picture is 2.500 feet above the water, and the walls are here too steep to be scaled, No. 10 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	William H. Bell (American, 1830-1910) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false
The "Vermillion Cliff," a typical plateau edge, as seen from Jacobs Pool, Arizona. From its top a plateau stretches to the right, and from its base another to the left. Their difference of level is 1.500 feet, and the step is too steep for scaling, No. 15 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"	William H. Bell (American, 1830–1910) commissioned by George Wheeler for the War Department, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army	1872	printing_dyeing photography	Americas	false