Original Casein Painting “Chief’s Robes” [SOLD]

Margaret Bagshaw, Helen Hardin’s daughter, pointed out to us how obvious it is that her mother started her career in the more traditional painting style of her mother, Pablita Velarde. She then developed her own unique, highly structured and linear style in succeeding years.

This casein painting was executed around 1967 and resembles Pablita’s work in basic structure, but shows the beginnings of Helen’s development into what would be her style. The Council Members exhibit traditional facial features, but their robes are highly stylized both in design and colors.

The background displays linear elements in zigzag form and the entire background and ground plane are filled with paint spray, a technique highly developed by Helen in following years.

It is rare to fine one of Helen’s early paintings executed in casein paint. For most of her career, she worked in acrylic paints. This piece is in original excellent condition. It is matted and framed. The signature Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh, along with the tree cartouche, and the conjoined letters HH appear in lower right.