Original Tesuque Pueblo Watercolor “Frightened Horse” [SOLD]

This painting has a wonderful history, dating back to 1944 when it was painted by Patrick Swazo Hinds at age 15. His son, Mark Swazo Hinds, found it at an estate sale here in Santa Fe in April 2010 and brought it to us at Adobe Gallery. According to Mark, the origins of the hand written notes on verso are as follows:

Painted by Patrick S. Hinds Age 15 is his mother’s handwriting.
“Frightened Horse” is Patrick Swazo Hinds handwriting.
Collection of Hinds Marita Hinds is his sister’s handwriting.
Swazo (in pencil) is Patrick Swazo Hinds handwritten signature.

Additionally, NSF (not for sale) and P. O. Box 482 Tesuque are written in magic marker on verso. Mark still has the same P. O. Box number.

Mark Swazo Hinds believes his mother gave the painting to Albuquerque collector Kathryn Rust sometime in the 1980s as that is the last time it was seen in the Swazo family home.

The watercolor of a startled horse as a prairie dog burrows into a hole is painted on paper. On verso is a pencil sketch of a similar horse, probably Swazo Hinds first attempt for this painting. It is absolutely remarkable that Swazo Hinds painted such a wonderful and absolutely remarkable painting at such a young age.

Fortunately, the painting has been framed for most if not all of its existence and it is in original excellent condition. We have just had it re-framed in acid-free materials and a nice wood frame. Plexiglas backing allows for viewing the pencil sketch. Historically, this is a very important painting and artistically it is a masterpiece.

Clara Lee Tanner spoke highly of Swazo Hinds. She said “Unquestionably the outstanding Tesuque Indian painter in the early 1970s and one of the most outstanding of all the pueblo artists was Patrick Swazo Hinds…”