Original Oil Painting “Taos” [R]

Special Offer: The Consignor of this excellent oil painting has authorized us to reduce the price from the original price of $7,500 to a new price of $6,500.

Like so many other artists, Shuster came to New Mexico to gain a cure for tuberculosis. He arrived in Santa Fe in 1920 from Philadelphia. He was befriended by artist John Sloan who guided him into a career in art. For the next 49 years, Shuster painted local scenes, customs and ceremonies of New Mexico.

Shuster also is known for creating the gigantic puppet Zozobra who is burned in effigy each year in Santa Fe to banish evil and gloom. He was responsible for this annual event until his death.

Shuster was a founding member of the Santa Fe artist group known as Los Cinco Pintores, (The Five Painters). The group banded together in 1921 and has its first exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in December 1921. From then on, the group was well accepted. The group became the foundation for the “modernist” art colony in New Mexico.

In this 1928 painting, Shuster portrays what is perhaps a tortilla maker busy at her outdoor fire while two men anxiously await their meal at the table. It is apparently late in the afternoon judging by the street light and window lights.

The painting is in original excellent condition and appears to be in the original period frame. It is signed on verso Will Shuster 28 Taos.