Helen Hardin Etching “Fireside Prayers” [SOLD]

C3943B-print.jpg

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Helen Hardin, Santa Clara Pueblo Painter
  • Category: Original Prints
  • Origin: Santa Clara Pueblo, Kha'p'oo Owinge
  • Medium: copper plate etching
  • Size:
    4” x 5” image;
    8” x 9” paper;
    10-1/2” x 11-1/8” framed
  • Item # C3943B
  • SOLD

Photo of Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce. Image Source:  the photo copies (of original polaroid’s) of Helen Hardin appear courtesy of the photographer.This etching was executed at El Cerro Graphics in Los Lunas, New Mexico.  It was started on March 14, 1980 and completed on April 30, 1980.  It was handprinted by Ricardo Ximenes and William Bouson.   The print shop’s chop mark is on the front in lower left.  The artist’s signature is in lower right and the edition number, 13/25, is in lower left.  I believe this to be the first etching executed by Helen Hardin.


The image was printed on Rives Newsprint paper.  It was drawn by the artist with etching needles and printed in one run on a copper plate.


Artist Signature - Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce

There were only 25 numbered copies made which are known as Artist’s Edition, the copies normally seen on the market for sale, such as this one; 4 copies known as Artist’s Proofs, given to the artist for her personal distribution; 2 Printer’s Proofs, given to the printers for their own personal property; 1 Bon a Tirer, which is the copy approved by the artist and to which every other copy must be perfectly matched; and 2 Record Impressions which are maintained by the Print Shop as permanent records.


Santa Clara Pueblo artist Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce had only begun working with the etching process in 1980.  It is believed that this is her first etching.  Sue Di Maio, an art dealer from California, Arizona, and Santa Fe, made it her mission to talk Helen Hardin into supplementing her acrylic painting with carefully controlled prints. She felt that Helen could not keep up with the demand for her art if she only produced original paintings.  At first, Helen was not in agreement.  She agreed to meet with Ricardo Ximenes of El Cerro Graphics for a primer in printmaking.  Helen agreed to give printmaking a try.  Fortunately, she loved it and collectors love her prints.


Condition: framed and in original condition

Provenance: this Copper Plate Aquatint Etching "Fireside Prayers" is from the estate of a former client from Colorado

Recommended Reading: Changing Woman: The Life and Art of Helen Hardin by Jay Scott

Photo of Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce. Image Source:  the photo copies (of original polaroid’s) of Helen Hardin appear courtesy of the photographer.

Helen Hardin, Santa Clara Pueblo Painter
  • Category: Original Prints
  • Origin: Santa Clara Pueblo, Kha'p'oo Owinge
  • Medium: copper plate etching
  • Size:
    4” x 5” image;
    8” x 9” paper;
    10-1/2” x 11-1/8” framed
  • Item # C3943B
  • SOLD

C3943B-print.jpgC3943B-large.jpg Click on image to view larger.