In the nascent days of photography, portraits were a rarity, and the norm was for subjects to adopt serious, almost somber expressions. This was not merely a stylistic choice but a practical necessity of the era. With long exposure times required to capture images, maintaining a smile was impractical, if not impossible. Thus, most early photographs reflect a stern, impassive demeanor. Against this backdrop, the discovery of a photograph featuring a young Indigenous woman smiling, taken nearly 130 years ago, stands out as both unusual and captivating.
The photograph in question was taken in 1894 and features O-0-dee, a Native American girl from the Kiowa tribe. Discovered in 2019 during an auction of the George W. Brentz collection, this image has since been preserved by the Smithsonian Institution. O-0-dee’s radiant smile has resonated widely, capturing the imagination of people globally, particularly through social media platforms. One Redditor remarked, “Wow. What a smile can do. Suddenly it looks like this photo was taken a lot more recently.” Another commented, “Very cool picture. I think this is the first old picture I’ve seen of someone smiling.”
The prevalence of serious expressions in early photographs is often attributed to several factors. Firstly, the technology of the time required long exposure periods, making it difficult to sustain a smile for the necessary duration. Furthermore, photographic techniques were heavily influenced by portrait painting traditions, which favored serious, composed poses. People often mirrored the formal, resolute expressions seen in painted portraits, contributing to the overall gravity of early photographic subjects.
O-0-dee’s portrait stands in stark contrast to these conventions. Her bright smile offers a rare glimpse of warmth and personality, defying the typical norms of the time. Clad in a traditional buckskin dress adorned with elk bone—an emblem of her Kiowa heritage—she proudly displays the artistry and cultural significance of her tribe. Her smile, vibrant and engaging, creates an immediate connection with viewers, making her image feel remarkably contemporary.
What adds an extra layer of significance to O-0-dee’s photograph is the context of her identity. Indigenous women, like O-0-dee, are often underrepresented in historical records, their stories overshadowed by the dominant narratives of more powerful groups. Her smiling visage provides a rare and precious window into the lives of Indigenous peoples, highlighting their presence and resilience despite the historical erasure they frequently face.
Through O-0-dee’s photograph, we are not only presented with an anomaly from the past but also offered a poignant reminder of the richness and diversity of historical experiences. Her image invites us to reflect on the human capacity for joy and the importance of preserving and celebrating every facet of our shared history.
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