Tonita Peña or Quah Ah, as she signed her work, was originally from San Ildefonso, but married into Cochiti. She had no formal training as an artist, but became very active in the San Ildefonso Movement and was the only female painter in this group. Most of the artist’s thematic material centered on Pueblo dances. Peña would later add Cochiti Pueblo ceramic designs to her subject matter. She had an easy time remaining true in her representation of pottery decoration since she had trained as a potter.

Peña incorporated women dancers in her work, which usually included her usual two to three dance figures. She would also add drummers, and, at times, a chanter. She is most known for electing to show dancers’ feet in motion—much higher in the air than other artists painted them. Showing men with their feet in more realistic action was also a commonality in her work, as was grouping subjects on various planes—very different from her male counterparts. She was not known for using a wide color palette, though at times she would incorporate small amounts of brighter colors.

This painting depicts a drummer figure in his traditional regalia. Notice how his mouth is wide open indicating that he is in mid-chant as he would be during a feast dance.

Condition: This piece is in excellent condition. It is currently framed in a gilded frame and nicely matted with a gilded border.

Provenance: ex. coll. California collector