This photographic art print is printed on acid-free paper that will last a hundred years, and is matted in neutral colors chosen to compliment the print, yet match any decor.

Each art print is backed with cardboard, ready to frame, and is enclosed in a plastic bag for protection.

This art print measures approximately 8x10 inches, including the mat. The mat pictured is representative, the one you receive may vary. If you are ordering more than one print, we will try to match mat colors when available.



This art print is made from an historical photo of unnamed Moki Indian spinning wool, photographed by John k. Hillers in the 1870s.

If your ENTIRE order will fit in a poster tube, or 9x11 envelope, enter ARTPRINTS in the Coupon box to save $3.00 on postage.

This item can be shipped internationally, but additional postage may apply.

John K. Hillers was a German born photographer who lived from 1843-1925. As a young man, he served in the US Army, attainin the rank of sergeant. In 1872, Hillers was hired as an oarsman for Major John Wesley Powell's second expedition down the Colorado River. A photographer named E. O. Beaman was the official photographer, but Hillers became intrigued with the process.

In those days, it wasn't possible to make photographic enlargements from negatives. A large photograph could only be produced by a large camera. Beaman brought more than 1,000 pounds of photographic equipment for the journey, so he was more than happy to let Hillers help carry some of it.

In January of 1872, Powell fired Beaman after the two men had a disagreement. He replaced Beaman with a young assistant photographer from Salt Lake City named James Fennemore. One of Powell's biographers claims Fennemore's most important contribution to the expedition was his patient instruction of Jack Hillers. Hillers effectively became Fennemore's assistant, at times taking photographs himself.

After six months on the trip, Fennemore became too sick to continue. Powell put Hillers in charge of the photographic outfit, and from that point onwards, the young army veteran became the Powell Survey photographer.

In the fall of 1872, under instruction from Powell, Hillers turned his lens from landscapes to people. His first series of images were of the Kaibab Paiutes, who were among the last Native Americans to come into sustained contact with white settlers.

The Kaibab Paiutes called Hillers "Myself in the Water," a reference to the similarity between seeing themselves reflected in water, and seeing themselves in Hillers' photographs. Powell, who conducted his surveys under the direction of the Department of the Interior, used Hillers's photographs to gain Congressional support for further expeditions.

The images brought public recognition to both men when they appeared in the Powell Survey exhibit at Philadelphia's 1876 Centennial Exhibition, a world's fair attended by over ten million visitors.

Beginning in 1879, Hillers worked for the United States Geological Survey and the Bureau of American Ethnology, and became their Chief Photographer. He was also in charge of taking portrait photographs of Indian leaders when they visited Washington, D.C.

Since Hillers spent most of his professional career working for the government, his images have probably been more widely seen than those of any other 19th century photographer. They have been used in scores of government publications and as illustrations in hundreds of magazines and journals. During his lifetime, they were shown at several international expositions, including ones in Chicago, Paris and Madrid, and they have been included in dozens of museum exhibits.