Cochiti Pueblo Original Painting of a Racing Horse and Fox [SOLD]

Ben Quintana is the most famous Cochiti Pueblo painter of all time.  Had he lived a long life, we would be fortunate to have more of his paintings to enjoy.  He was one of the most promising of the Cochiti Pueblo artists at the time World War II cut his life short.  He was only 21 at that time.  As a result, his paintings are very rare. 

It is a real tragedy that he lost his life at only the age of 21 years. He was an outstanding artist and had a brilliant future in the art field. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry in action. Cochiti Pueblo residents today still respect him for his art and gallantry.

Quintana placed emphasis on the horse and fox to the exclusion of a ground plane or background flora and fauna.  The two small scrub brushes are the only attempt to include subjects other than the primary ones of fox and horse.  The painting is signed in lower right Ben.

The original brown paper on verso has the following in the artist's hand: Ben Quintana Cochiti Pueblo Pena Blanca New Mexico.  There is a price of 50 cents.  Additionally, there is a paper label that reads as follows:  Ben Quintana (He a Tee) Cochiti Pueblo 1923-1944 watercolor on paper Racing Horse and Fox This was painted at the Santa Fe Indian School "Studio" $1425.00.

This painting and our item #C3267E are of the same style; same size and framed to match.  They would make a nice pair.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from a major painting collector family of Arizona

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting a Changing Art by Clare Lee Tanner