Special Value Offer: Original Acrylic Painting “Blue Corn Maiden” [R]

Special Value Offer: The consignor has authorized a 25% price reduction from the original price of $6750 to a new price of $5000.

Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce was from Santa Clara Pueblo.  Her paintings sometimes featured abstract backgrounds and traditional features for the prime subject.  This painting of the Blue Corn Maiden is traditional in presentation as she is shown wearing a traditional pueblo dress and yet she is superimposed on a background that is abstract and a manta that is highly stylized rather than the conventional black one. The painting appears to have been executed with brush, atomizer, and architectural-type drawing instruments.

The maiden carries a basket of corn.   Her hair is presented in the Hopi unmarried maiden squash blossom style.  She has the face of a young woman.  The painting is beautifully rendered in brilliant color paints toned down with atomizing spray—an excellent technique.

Condition: original excellent condition

Provenance: from an Albuquerque family of serious Native Painting collectors

Recommended Reading:  Changing Woman: The Life and Art of Helen Hardin by Jay Scott