Raymond Naha was one of Fred Kabotie’s students. He was best known for his stylistic break from the early painting style of the Dorothy Dunn School. He continued to paint traditional subject matter, but in a more European style. He concentrated on accenting the fine details of ceremonial paraphernalia using a wider range of colors and incorporating a sense of movement in his subjects.

This is an excellent example of Naha’s ability to paint the fine details of a Hopi katsina. The headdress is realistically rendered. The feather crown behind the head and the feathers floating on top of the head are rendered in outstanding detail. The embroidery of the belt trailing behind the left leg illustrates the precise detail of the pattern. It is in small details like these in which Naha excelled.

In this painting, Naha shows an Ogre Katsina in his triumphant pose over the Koshare on the ground while another Koshare runs to escape such a treatment.

Condition: This painting is in original excellent condition. It is not dated by the artist, but appears to be from the 1960 decade. It has just been framed using all acid-free materials and a beautiful rich brown wood frame with gold trim.

Provenance: From the personal collection of a member of the Balcomb family, owner of Balcomb’s Gallery, at one time located in Arizona, then Taos, Gallup, and Albuquerque, but closed since 1976.