Original Painting of a Navajo Ceremonial Dance [R]

Harrison Begay is probably the most famous of the Navajo artists. He has had a long and distinguished career. He started painting while attending the Santa Fe Indian School and began to paint full time after returning from service in World War II.

His favorite subjects are the Diné and their life on the reservation. There is an innocence is his depictions of Navajo life. It probably reflects on his remembrances of life when he was a youngster. He was born sometime between 1914 and 1917.

In this marvelous painting, certainly among the finest he ever painted, the mortal Yeibichai dancers in the lower half of the painting have invoked the supernatural Yei deities that appear in the upper half of the painting. This is a wonderful visual explanation of the reason for and the power of the Yei ceremonial dances.

This is quite a large painting for Begay. So many of his pieces are about ¼ the size of this one. From the detail included in the painting and from the fineness of the work, this is probably one of his earlier works.

It is framed with acid-free materials and a beautiful heavy wood frame. The painting is signed with both his English and Navajo names. It is not dated, but is in original excellent condition.