San Ildefonso Single Figure Antelope Dancer [R]

This is a superlative painting of an Antelope Dancer by Julian Martinez, one of the premier pueblo painters of the early 20th century. This fantastic, evocative, and subtly beautiful image depicts an Antelope Dancer in profile, and is executed in gouache on paper. The figure was created in contour with pencil and then wonderfully realized in opaque pigment, with all the traditional accoutrements of the dancer. The prominent headdress frames the coal-black face of the dancer, with feathered embellishments falling to the rear, over the dancer's back and neck. An animal skin covers his body, the legs are covered in white cotton woven garters tied with red yarn, there are feathered dance wands that simulate the front legs of the antelope, and embellished moccasins complete the ensemble.

Julian Martinez is most often associated with his wife, Maria Martinez, as the painter of her ceramics from the early 1900s until his death in 1943. He did, however, execute paintings on paper as well. He was one of the very early San Ildefonso self-taught easel artists. His watercolor paintings were definitely a minor activity as compared to his brilliant achievements as the decorator of Maria’s pottery. He was painting watercolors before 1920 and continued as time permitted until his death.

Condition:  appears to be in original condition but has not been examined out of the frame.

Recommended Reading:  Modern by Tradition: American Indian Painting in the Studio Style by Bruce Bernstein, et al

Provenance:  from the collection of a gentleman from Florida