Original San Ildefonso Pueblo Painting Interpretation of a Ladybug [SOLD]

Tony Da, the son of Popovi Da, was a third-generation Martinez. He was born in 1940 and at a young age showed skill and much prospect at becoming a painter. All through school Da excelled artistically and he eventually moved on to major in art at Western New Mexico University, which was located in the same area as the prehistoric Mimbres Indians.

Being exposed to this area led Da’s artwork to be largely influenced by Mimbres pottery designs. After leaving the university and joining the Navy he began pursuing his art full time, gaining him early recognition as an exceptional young artist.

This particular image, which we have interpreted to be that of a ladybug, but may be some kind of beetle, is not of the Mimbres style of other works by Da. It does feature the same style geometrics behind the main subject. There is the purple background, a beige circle, a pair of stepped geometrics—one of a slightly pink coloration and the other slightly more brick red. Then there is the bug in all its colorful glory and geometric designs from the creative imagination of the artist.

This painting is signed Da and dated “76”. It appears to be in original excellent condition but has not been examined out of the frame. The image is quadruple-matted with an acid-free mat in touch with the painting. It is framed in a black wooden frame.

Tony Da pieces are all too rare considering he started his career around 1964, when he moved in with Maria, and ended it with his crippling motorcycle accident in 1982. He passed away on the 12th of February 2008 at 67 years of age.