Untitled Diné (Navajo) Painting “Bear with Honeycomb” [SOLD]

Clara Lee Tanner, in her book Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art, compares Robert Chee to Harrison Begay in his strong ability to handle a great many colors and his tendency to stress the“intensity of tone in small areas.” Chee, especially later in his very short life, could also be compared stylistically to Beatien Yazz (1928-Present). Chee was a student of Allan Houser and was at the height of his career during the late 1950s. Yazz had begun painting much earlier than Chee. That said, Chee adopted the usage of ground lines, hills and plant life further along in his career, as did Yazz. Notice how both artists’ styles seem to mirror each other when one focuses and compares the terrain, flora and whimsical theme in Chee’s to this complementary piece by Yazz (see item #C2989B). Could it be that Yazz had an influence on Chee’s work? One could definitely speculate!

Condition: The painting is in original excellent condition. It has never been framed and is currently shrink-wrapped for protection. It is signed in lower right.

Provenance: From the collection of the family of Balcomb’s Ranch Gallery, Colorado.