San Ildefonso Original Painting of Katsina Theme by Tony Da [SOLD]

It is unlikely that there are any collectors of New Mexico Native art who are not familiar with the name Tony Da, the son of Popovi Da and grandson of Maria and Julian Martinez.  Charles King and Richard Spivey have published everything there is to know about Tony Da so there is no need for us to try and add to that in this description.

This painting by Da is signed Tony Da and dated 1966, a signature he used before settling on the simple geometric DA.  Tony was living with his grandmother and learning the techniques of pottery making from her at that time but he was still producing paintings.  In 1966, the year of this painting, he entered his first art show—the Fifth Annual Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, at which he received an honorable mention.

Our interpretation of Tony's intent in this painting is showing the transformation in spirit of the Katsina from this world (as shown on the right) and into the spirit world (as shown on the left).  The light colors used in the background and the standard casein colors of the right half of the Katsina displays the world as we see it and the dark background and black shading of the front of the Katsina displays the spiritual world in which the Katsina dwells. 

The white designs that curve over the Katsina appear to represent a bird's head on the left of the painting and a seed pod on the right, but we will leave the interpretation of this to someone more knowledgeable. 

This is the only known piece he ever did like this. Take notice how the cubes relate to so much of his later work and the use of geometry.  It's definitely a very important transitional piece from his early realism to the abstract style of his later work.  The Katsina figure in the center being half in shadow is amazing, with just such compelling contrast to the rest of the color. The layered imagery of the snake and bird and seed designs provides for a three-dimensional presentation.  What a phenomenal work of art.

Condition:  The painting appears to be in original condition; however, it has not been examined out of the frame.

Provenance:  from the collection of Katherine H. Rust.

Recommended Reading: The Life and Art of Tony Da by Charles S. King and Richard L. Spivey