Santa Clara Pueblo “Mask in the Dark” Copper Plate Etching by Helen Hardin [SOLD]

Santa Clara Pueblo artist Helen Hardin is known for her paintings. She had only begun working with the etching process in 1980, so this etching is among her early works. Sue Di Maio, an art dealer from California, Arizona, and Santa Fe, made it her mission to talk Helen Hardin into supplementing her acrylic painting with carefully controlled prints. She felt that Helen could not keep up with the demand for her art if she only produced original paintings. At first, Helen was not in agreement. She agreed to meet with Ricardo Ximenes of El Cerro Graphics for a primer in printmaking. Helen agreed to give printmaking a try. Fortunately, she loved it and collectors love her prints.

This etching was executed at El Cerro Graphics in Los Lunas, New Mexico.  It was started on May 14, 1982 and completed on June 8, 1982.  It was handprinted by Catherine Clinger and Sherri Brueggemann whose chop marks are on reverse in lower left.  The print shop’s chop mark is on the front in lower left.  The artist’s signature is in lower right and the edition number, 20/65, is in lower left.

The image was printed on Fabriano Rosapina Cream 285 paper with burnt umber ink.  One 4 x 5-inch copper plate was drawn upon directly by the artist. The plate was etched in six steps—the first two being line etch, the last three being aquatints, and the plate etched in ferric chlorides.

There were 65 numbered copies made which are known as Artist’s Edition, the copies normally seen on the market for sale, such as this one; 8 copies known as Shop Impressions, which belong to El Cerro Graphics for its own sales; 7 copies known as Artist’s Proofs, given to the artist for her personal distribution; 3 Printer’s Proofs, given to the printers for their own personal property; 1 Presentation Proof, produced to be donated to a museum or other source; 1 Bon a Tirer, which is the copy approved by the artist and to which every other copy must be perfectly matched; 2 Record Impressions which are maintained by the Print Shop as permanent records; and, finally, 1 Cancellation copy. The copper plate was erased so that no other copies could ever be made.

Condition: this Santa Clara Pueblo "Mask in the Dark" Copper Plate Etching by Helen Hardin is in framed and in original condition

Provenance: from the estate of a former client from Colorado

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

Photo of Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce. Image Source: the photo copies (of original polaroid's) of Helen Hardin appear courtesy of the photographer.

Relative Links: Helen Hardin, Santa Clara Pueblo, Pablita Velarde, Native American symbols, Native American Paintings