Fritz Scholder Lithograph titled “Bicentennial Indian” [SOLD]

"Bicentennial Indian" is a stone lithograph by Luiseño artist Fritz Scholder. It was completed in 1975 at Albuquerque's Tamarind Workshop, in an edition of 125. It is an iconic and desirable image, as evidenced by its inclusion in the permanent collections of several prominent American museums.

In 1975, in celebration of the upcoming bicentennial year, the Kent Bicentennial Program posed this question to a group of twelve notable artists: "What does ‘independence' mean to you?" The artists were encouraged to answer the question however they wished to do so; "Bicentennial Indian" is Scholder's response. The twelve completed works were released as the "Kent Bicentennial Portfolio: Spirit of Independence."

In this image, a single Native man appears, facing the viewer directly. He is seated with an American flag draped over his lap. The man was portrayed stylishly and sensitively, and in a notably straightforward manner for an artist known for bold abstraction. The flag's red, white and blue tones were augmented with black and a wonderful ochre, creating a palette that is both accessible and unique. This is a highly collectible, enormously appealing image with an interesting origin story.

The lithograph is mounted on a white backing under glass, in a high-quality wood frame. It is signed Scholder and numbered "108/125" in pencil. Tamarind's bell symbol is embossed in lower left. Scholder's "FS" mark is embossed in lower center. A third chop mark in lower right represents the printer, who we are unable to identify.

Fritz Scholder (1937-2005) was by birth one-quarter Luiseño Indian, a California Mission Tribe. He was born in Minnesota, spent two decades in the Dakotas, and lived in Galisteo, NM, and Scottsdale, AZ. Fritz Scholder came to Santa Fe in 1964 to teach advanced painting and art history at the new Institute of American Indian Arts, a school established by the United States Department of the Interior. He obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Arizona in 1964 before moving to Santa Fe and joining IAIA. Fritz Scholder enjoyed a long and successful career and is regarded today as one of the most innovative and influential Native artists.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Fritz Scholder Lithograph titled "Bicentennial Indian" is from a private Santa Fe collection

Recommended Reading: Clinton Adams' Fritz Scholder Lithographs

TAGS: Luiseño Indian, a California Mission Tribe, Santa Fe, paintings, lithographs, Albuquerque, Fritz Scholder