Striking late 19th-century cabinet card portrait of Standing Bear, a distinguished figure of the Sioux nation, identified in period ink on verso. Wearing a full feathered war bonnet, bone breastplate, and fur pelts, Standing Bear sits for a studio portrait that projects both solemn dignity and cultural pride. His expression is focused and intense, rendered with beautiful tonal range and sharp clarity by the photographer. The image captures a moment of posed strength, traditional attire, and enduring cultural identity.

Luther Standing Bear (1868–1939) was born Ota Kte and educated at Carlisle Indian Industrial School, later becoming one of the first Native American authors, performers, and activists to write extensively about his people from a Native perspective. He advocated for Native rights, bridging the divide between cultures with dignity and eloquence. His writings, lectures, and appearances in early silent films helped challenge stereotypes and inform public understanding of Native identity in the early 20th century.