Diné Artist Arthur C. Begay Painting of a Navajo Pastoral Scene

This restful pastoral scene transports us to the Navajo Reservation by artist Arthur C. Begay, Sr.  It captures a way of life that has endured for generations. The painting depicts a young girl on her donkey, skillfully gathering her herd of goats to lead them home as the day draws to a close. Tomorrow, she will lead them once more to the grazing lands, passing the native chamisa without stopping for a bite.

The young girl is elegantly rendered in traditional Diné attire, wearing a pleated skirt and a velvet blouse adorned with silver buttons along the sleeves and neckline. She wears traditional moccasins and a necklace of turquoise and heishi, with her hair neatly gathered into a chonga.

The landscape is characterized by its peaceful simplicity. Two prominent buttes serve as the primary landmarks against a sparse horizon. A delicate outline of a cloud formation is the sole celestial feature, enhancing the quiet, meditative atmosphere.

The painting is signed Arthur C. Begay in the lower right It is housed in a carved wood frame under a double mat.  Having handled only two of Begay's works previously, we are pleased to present this rare find. His "soft" aesthetic is a hallmark of traditional Diné painting.

Arthur C. Begay, Sr. (b.1931-32 was a man of dual worlds, balancing a career as an artist with his work as an electrician. Born near Newcomb, New Mexico, his formal education took him from Phoenix High School to the Famous Artist's School in Westport, Connecticut.

In the 1950s, Begay's talent earned him a prestigious fellowship to study under the legendary Saturday Evening Post illustrator, Norman Rockwell. While Begay spent a year working in Rockwell's Connecticut studio — absorbing techniques that define his polished style — he remained deeply rooted in his heritage.

Despite his technical prowess, Begay was known as an elusive and somewhat nomadic figure, seemingly more interested in the integrity of his craft than in seeking fame or fortune. It is the enduring quality and scarcity of his work that continues to earn him recognition among serious collectors of Native American art today.

Condition: very good condition and framed with archival materials

Provenance: this Diné Artist Arthur C. Begay Painting of a Navajo Pastoral Scene is from the collection of clients of Adobe Gallery in California

Recommended Reading: Brody, J. J. Indian Painters and White Patrons, UNM Press, Albuquerque, 1971

TAGS: Navajo, The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters, Native American Paintings, Arthur C. Begay, Sr.