Original Painting of “Kupishtaya” (Rain Caller) from Kuana Mural [SOLD]

This is an original casein painting by Pablita Velarde of Santa Clara Pueblo. There was a period when Velarde reproduced drawings from kiva murals at Kuana, Pottery Mound, etc. This particular image she labeled "Kupishtaya" and said he was a "rain caller;" she also noted that it was a Kuana mural. The painting is signed, but not dated.

This is a superlative work of the highest quality, depicting this single figure. It is superbly rendered on a patterned background of yellow and taupe in gradating values, the pattern being a radiating stepped motif, a powerful foil to the monumental figuration. The figure is superbly and precisely rendered in Velarde's inimitable style; each object, be it feather, rattle, sash, or kilt is painted with the most beautiful detail and attention to the finest of subtleties.

The painting is in excellent original condition and framed in the style of the paintings of Helen Hardin with a dual frame separated by fabric. This is unquestionably a work of great beauty and strength, visually compelling and certainly significant historically as it is painted by one of the premier Pueblo painters of the twentieth century.