Wah Peen Original Painting of Pueblo Woman Carrying OLLA [SOLD]

This original painting was created in 1949 by San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Gilbert Atencio. In this painting, a woman wearing traditional attire carries an OLLA on her head, walking barefoot through the high desert. Tall grasses rise from two clusters of rock. Other than these small designs, there are no environmental elements, which is typical.

Atencio's work with this painting is excellent, as always. The detail with which he rendered his subject is remarkable, and his palette of deep blue and purple tones will appeal to many. His precise line work is commendable as well.

The painting is signed and dated By Gilbert Atencio 49 in lower right. It is framed in high quality, archival materials.

Gilbert Atencio (1930-1995) Wah Peen attended Santa Fe Indian School, graduating in 1947. By the time he was twenty, he had exhibited at the Santa Fe Museum, the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, various Albuquerque venues, and the Philbrook Art Center in Oklahoma. By the time he reached 19 years of age, he had been awarded six first prizes, six second prizes and five third prizes. Atencio's family included four siblings, one of whom was well-known Santa Clara Pueblo potter Helen Gutierrez. His parents were Isabel Montoya (1899-1996) and Benjamin Atencio (? -1963). His grandmother and Maria Martinez's mother were sisters. His niece is Geraldine Gutierrez, who is a painter and potter from Santa Clara Pueblo

Atencio will certainly be recognized as one of the finest pueblo painters of the second half of the 20th century—not only from San Ildefonso Pueblo, but among all pueblo painters. His attention to detail was unparalleled. A professional medical illustrator at Los Alamos National Labs, Atencio carried his precise drawing and painting skills over to his fine art paintings. His crisply drawn and clearly colored renderings of ceremonial and home life have, since around 1947, been favorites in many shows. Much of Atencio's inspiration for paintings came from stories his aunts told him about their lives. His style varied from the traditional flat style done early in his career, to more realistic paintings done later in his career. Atencio passed away in 1995 and remains highly regarded by collectors.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Wah Peen Original Painting of Pueblo Woman Carrying OLLA is from a private New Mexico collection

Recommended Reading: AMERICAN INDIAN PAINTING of the Southwest and Plains Areas by Dorothy Dunn

TAGS: Native American Paintings, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Isabel M. Montoya, Maria Martinez, Gilbert Atencio (1930-1995) Wah Peen