Large Gathering Grinding Corn by Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie

Recognized as one of the finest Diné of the Navajo Nation artists of the 20th century, Andy Tsinhnahjinnie is known for his incredible body of work, often featuring group portrayals of life and ceremonies on his nation. This fascinating piece could certainly be considered one of his outstanding ones, and it is very much exemplary of a typical scene of his.

The painting depicts a large gathering of Navajo men and women all centered around a woman possibly grinding corn. Corn is a central part of life for the Diné people, and is symbolic of sustenance and of life itself. This scene is truly one of significance considering the veneration given to this revered crop.

Each of the men and women around the circle wear turquoise necklaces. The ones on the outside wear white pants and long, orange boots, as well as white headbands at the top of each of their foreheads. On the inside circle, they wear what look to be special, striped leggings. The woman grinding the corn wears a feather headdress, unique from the rest of the group.

The painting is set on a simple reddish-orange background, and is signed in the lower right corner Tsinajinnie.

This painting, although not dated, appears to be one from the artist's later years. The paint was not placed in precise detail but appears more loosely applied with a less steady hand. He painted very little following a serious illness in 1977. He died in 2000.

Andrew Van Tsinhnahjinnie was born near Chinle, Arizona (Rough Rock) in November 1916, and he had been drawing since he was a child. He attended elementary school at the Indian School at Fort Apache but ran away and returned to the reservation. He then attended school in Santa Fe and became a student of Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School. He was an avid student and was known to have stayed in the studio painting until forced to return to the dormitory. Following his graduation, he went to work as an illustrator for the Indian Service. In 1977 he suffered with a serious illness and had not been able to do much painting or teaching, but he kept his love of the old ways. Tsinhnahjinnie grew up herding sheep and riding horses and his love for that life was what he wanted to portray in his paintings. He was married to Minnie McGirt, and they had seven children.

Condition: good condition although there are two very small spots above the scene which look to be water marks

Provenance: this painting of a Large Gathering Grinding Corn by Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art, Clara Lee Tanner

TAGS: Navajo, Apache, Santa Fe, Dorothy Dunn, painting, Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie