Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society
The Photography of
Robert J. Flaherty, 1884-1951
Best known as the Father of
the Documentary Film because of such landmark films
as "Nanook of the North", Robert J. Flaherty was also
a master of still photography. These portraits of
Indians and Inuit of the Arctic and of their houses,
animals, and lifestyle were scanned from original
prints in the collection of the Thunder Bay
Historical Museum Society. Those that can be
identified were shot during Flaherty's early visits
to Fort George, Baffin Island, the Ungava Peninsula
and Fort Chimo in the 1910s. Here he encountered the
Indians of Northern Quebec, the Nasakapi with their
distinctive caps and garments at the Nastapoka
Islands, and the "Eskimo" (today's Inuit). At each
stop his camera was at his side ready to capture
unique images for posterity.
- More
information about Robert J. Flaherty
These superb, sepia-toned photographs were printed by Robert Flaherty himself and mounted in an album early in this century. High quality reproductions of approximately the same size as the originals, on double-weight, resin-coated paper, sepia-toned like the originals can be purchased from the Thunder Bay Museum for only $35 CDN or $30 US, each, postage included.
 175a (size: 5.25" x 7.25") |
 175b (size: 6.7" x 6.3") |
 175c (size: 6.7" x 7.8") |
 175d (size: 5.9" x 7.5") |
 175e (size: 5.5" x 7.5") |
 175f (size: 7.5" x 5.9") |
 175g (size: 7.5" x 5.9") |
 175h (size: 5.9" x 7.8") |
 175i (size: 5.9" x 7.8") Portrait of Naskapi Indian, c.1912, probably when Flaherty met Naskapi at Fort Chimo that year. |
 175j (size: 7.8" x 5.9") |
 175k (size: 7.8" x 5.5") Nastapoka Falls, 1910. |
 175l (size: 8.25" x 5.9") |
 175m (size: 7.5" x 5.9") |
 175n (size: 8.25" x 5.9") |
 175o (size: 7.5" x 5.9") |
 175p (size: 7.5" x 5.9") |
 175q (size: 7.5" x 5.5") Photograph of dead polar bear, taken August 7, 1912 according to Flaherty's diary. |
 175r (size: 5.2" x 7.8") Portrait of woman, c.1910-12, Ungava Peninsula. Seal skin clothing |
 175s (size: 5.5" x 7.8") |
 175t (size: 5.9" x 7.1") |
 175u (size: 7.5" x 6.3") Portrait of Enutsiak, c.1913-14, Baffin Island. Enutsiak came to Baffin Island from the Arctic in 1908 as a boy. He died in his 80s, as a well-known carver. |
 175v (size: 7.1" x5.9 ") |
 175w (size: 7.5" x 5.9") |
 175x (size: 5.5" x 7.8") |
 175y (size: 5.9" x 8.25") |
 175z (size: 5.9" x 7.8") Portrait of unidentified man, probably Naskapi from Fort Chimo, c.1912. |
 175aa (size: 7.5" x 5.9") |
 175bb (size: 5.5" x 7.8") Portrait of young woman, c.1910-12, Ungava Peninsula. She is probably Indian and came from Fort George or Fort Chimo. Shawl is Hudson's Bay Company tartan, typical of Arctic Quebec. |
 175cc (size: 8.25" x 6.3") |
 175dd (size: 7.5" x 5.9") Portrait of Indian girl, c.1910-12, possibly from Fort George or Fort Chimo, Ungava Peninsula |
 175ee (size: 5.9" x 7.5") Portrait of a man identified as Panthary, a Naskapi from Fort Chimo, Ungava Peninsula. Photo possibly taken by Frances Flaherty at Fort Chimo in 1915. |
 175ff (size: 5.9" x7.5 ") Portrait of man, probably Naskapi, c.1912, Fort Chimo. |
 175hh (size: 5.2" x 7.1") Portrait of Cree woman, Fort George, James Bay, c.1910-1912. Flaherty spent time at Fort George from Oct.-Dec. 1910 and again from Oct. 1911 to Feb. 1912. |
 175ii (size: 5.5" x 7.8") |
 175jj (size: 9.8" x 7.8") |
 176a (size: 13" x 7.6") Robert Flaherty's Port Arthur apartment. This photo was taken by Port Arthur photographer J.F. Cooke. |
 176b (size: 3" x 4.5") Robert Flaherty in his later years. Photographer unknown. |
 176g (size: 4.75" x 6.5") Robert Flaherty with violin, Vancouver Island, 1908. Photo by Frances Hubbard. |
 175pp (size: 13.5" x 9.75") Flaherty with children. Clothing would suggest Ungava Peninsula, 1910-12. One source suggests Charlton Island, 1910. |
HOW TO ORDER PHOTOSBy fax (807) 622-6880 or By telephone (807) 623-0801 Please order by the number beneath each photo above. Remember to supply your name and address and enclose a cheque or money order for the appropriate amount in Canadian or U.S. funds ($35 CDN or $30 US for each print). Ontario residents add 8% P.S.T. Price includes cost of shipment by first-class mail. For delivery by courier, extra charges will apply.   Visa and MasterCard accepted. If paying by charge card, please give your name and mailing address and indicate your card number and its expiry date. For more information e-mail the Thunder Bay Museum |
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