Community Case: Emma Freeman

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On Display March 1— March 25
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Emma B. Freeman was born in Nebraska and gained worldwide recognition for her unique portraits of northern California’s Native Americans. Practicing photography in an era dominated by men, she attempted to return poetic feeling and true understanding to the Native American. But photography was not the only field in which she distinguished herself.

Thrust by her actions to the forefront of the feminist movement, Emma Freeman found herself the center of public attention. The story of her spectacular divorce from her husband of 13 years, climb to gain respect as an artist, laudation by the nation’s government and press for her photographic skill in depicting marine disasters, interaction with the Native American community, and her eventual business failure and bankruptcy are all discussed in the book, With Nature’s Children: Emma B. Freeman (1880-1928)-Camera and Brush, by Peter Palmquist.  

All the items in this case are on loan from museum supporter Bruce Pettit, a local antique dealer who specializes in Native American baskets, rugs, fine art and estate liquidation, (707) 498-6313, [email protected]