Four Original Paintings Framed Together [SOLD]

Each of these four post-card size original paintings was executed on paper.  They were quite probably painted after World War II if one were to use the posted price of $1.50 and $2.00 on the backs of the images.  One image is of a Buffalo Dancer, one of an Eagle Dancer, one of a Deer Dancer and one of a Koshare.  The extraordinary detail of each painting is well above average.  They were painted by Ignacio Moquino (1917-1982) Waki Yeni Dewa of Zia Pueblo.

The artist pursued two years graduate work in art under Dorothy Dunn and Geronima Montoya, an indication that he was there in 1937-38. He left school after his father’s death to care for his family.  While working part-time as a shoemaker, he began his art career by designing and painting pictures of various tribal costumes.  He later turned his interest to silversmithing. Snodgrass

The artist was in the U. S. Army in World War II and lived at San Juan Pueblo after marriage.  He was one of the artists selected to paint a mural in the United States Office of Indian Affairs at the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco in 1939.

At the time she published her book in 1968 Dorothy Dunn states that Moquino was the best of the artists at Zia Pueblo.  She indicates, however, that he painted less often since moving to San Juan Pueblo.

These four paintings are strong in color and were painted at the time he lived at San Juan Pueblo, as indicated on the back of each painting.  Moquino spent considerable time on the details of the costumes of the dancers.  He is particularly known for having done so.  His paintings serve as good ethnographic records.

Condition:  appear to be in original condition

Provenance: from a gentleman in Santa Fe

References:

- The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters, Sep 1995 by Patrick D. Lester and Jeanne Snodgrass King

- American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas by Dorothy Dunn, 1968