Diné (Navajo) Black and White Painting of Wolves and Deer [SOLD]

Most of Beatien Yazz’s work reflects the everyday lives of the Navajo. He has always been a master of detail; painting the special nuances that make reservation life unique. Rarely have I seen a painting by him reflecting the more natural hunter/hunted aspects of animal life on the reservation.

In this painting, a pack of wolves is in pursuit of a deer as the deer desperately tries to flee them. It appears to be wintertime as the trees are bare of leaves and it looks like there is snow on the ground.

Yazz was born around 1928 and became enchanted with drawing and painting at a very early age. There were no other Navajo artists doing such at that time. None were making a living from being artists and easel art was virtually unknown to the very isolated Indians on the Navajo Reservation. Yazz may be the first Navajo to earn a living on the reservation as a painter of art.

Condition: The painting is in original excellent condition. It is shrink-wrapped only, not framed.

Provenance: This painting is among a collection from the Balcomb family, formerly owners of an art gallery which they closed in 1976.