“Chief Yellow Horse” Really Existed [SOLD]

Along Route 66, near Lupton, Arizona, just across the border from New Mexico, the land appears to be empty desert but then appears those bright red and yellow signs announcing your approach to Chief Yellow Horse Trading Post.  It is a gaudy sight but has for decades (since 1956) lured Route 66 tourists to stop and shop.  Where did the name come from?  Was there a real Chief Yellow Horse?

Yes, there was a Navajo named Juan "Chief" Yellowhorse who was born on March 23, 1930 into the Kinyaa"aanii Dine'e (The Towering House People Clan) at Wide Ruins, Arizona. He died October 27, 1999 suddenly at his place of business in Lupton, Arizona. He was a Navy Airman in the Aviation Branch, Chief Navigator from 1948­-1958. During this time he flew 69 missions into West Berlin to supply the survivors while West Berlin was divided and placed under communist rule, during the erection of the Berlin Wall. His parents were pioneers of Indian Trading and started selling at a very young age. The family was the trailblazer for Indian Trading on Route 66 whose trading post was announced by red, yellow and white signs along the highway—“We no scalp­umm paleface, just scalp­um wallet." He was a member of the Navajo Police Force from 1958-­1960. (Albuquerque Journal obiturary)

Robert Chee (1937-1971) Hashke-Yil-e-Cale could have known Chief Juan Yellowhorse personally or perhaps was familiar with the Trading Post.  That is where he got the inspiration for this painting of a Navajo sitting on a hill and wearing his vest with Chief Yellow Horse woven into the fabric.  He is sitting on a petrified log and has a fire for warmth.  He is silhouetted by the outline of a billowing cloud. 

Robert Chee was an outstanding and talented artist.  Unfortunately he passed away at the young age of 34 years. He had a short but very active career. He is noted for two-dimensional strongly decorative work with bright colors. He adhered to all the characteristics of traditional Navajo painting. His work is very fluid and with exceptional detail and finesse. The colors are bright, but soft at the same time. He was an exceptional painter. (Tanner, 1972)

Condition: the painting appears to be in original condition.  It was delivered to us framed so it has not been examined out of the frame.

Reference and Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner, 1972

Provenance: from a gentleman from Albuquerque