Original Painting “The Buffalo are Gone” [SOLD]

Doc Tate Nevaquaya was given the name Joyce Lee Tate Nevaquaya when he was born in 1932 at Apache, Oklahoma.  He had been delivered by a physician named Dr. Joyce and the family honored the doctor by using Joyce for their son’s first name.  He was nicknamed Doc, most likely because of his relationship to the physician.  He was always known as Doc Tate.  He was orphaned at age 13 and went to live with his grandparents, thus strengthening his relationship with his Comanche heritage.

During his life, Doc Tate was a teacher, Methodist lay minister, lecturer, historian, dancer, composer, singer, flutist, and painter.  He had received his high school diploma from the Fort Sill Indian School in Lawton, Oklahoma, and then attended Haskell Indian Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1951-2.

Doc Tate was a self-taught artist, flutist, and composer and gave numerous flute and painting classes throughout the country, including such prestigious institutions as Brigham Young University and Georgetown University.  He was honored with too many awards to post here, received art, music and lecture commissions beyond note, and received national and state awards.  He was married and had nine children.  He resided on allotted land near Apache, Oklahoma, until his death.

This Native American Painting of a lone Indian sentinel brings to mind the end of an era of the lives of the Comanche that existed, before the United States interfered with their ways.  He appears to be longing for buffalo who no longer roam the reservation.  The skeleton head in front of him tells the story of lost herds.

The painting appears to be on artist board but it is framed and cannot be examined to make that determination.  It is beautifully framed in dual framing with linen separating the two frames.  The painting is signed in lower right Doc Tate Nevaquaya.

Condition:  it appears to be in original condition

Recommended Reading:  The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters by Patrick D. Lester

Provenance: from the collection of Marvin and Betty Rubin of Albuquerque