Young Diné (Navajo) Boy on His Donkey

Most of Beatien Yazz's work reflects the everyday lives of the Navajo. This young Navajo boy riding a donkey and accompanied by his dog certainly could be a traditional scene on the Navajo Reservation. Yazz painted on a dark mat, probably to indicate approaching night as does the orange near the bottom of the painting that signifies setting sun.

Yazz was born around 1928 and became enchanted with drawing and painting at a very early age. There were no other Navajo artists doing such at that time. None were making a living from being artists and easel art was virtually unknown to the very isolated Indians on the Navajo Reservation. Yazz may be the first Navajo to earn a living on the Reservation as a painter of art.

Condition: The painting appears to be in original excellent condition. It has not been examined out of the frame; however, there is nothing to indicate any damage. It is circa 1960s.

Provenance: This painting is among a collection from the Balcomb family, formerly owners of an art gallery which they closed in 1976.