Jemez Pueblo Raincloud Painting by José Rey Toledo [SOLD]

This painting by José Rey Toledo is a beautifully balanced composition, first lightly sketched and then completed in ink and watercolor. Framed by a series of intricate raincloud motifs, the piece centers on a stylized flower and bird enclosed within a stepped design evocative of Pueblo architecture. The painting is one of Toledo's more decorative works, showcasing his thoughtful use of repeated shapes and colors to create a flowing visual rhythm. Scalloped forms appear throughout — from the rainclouds in the corners to the delicate curves of the bird's wings and tail feathers — tying the entire composition together with a sense of harmony. A rare and refined example of Toledo's artistry, this piece reflects his keen eye for design.

José Rey Toledo (1915-1994), also known as Shobah Woonhon (Morning Star) of Jemez Pueblo, was a multifaceted individual — an educator, health specialist, actor, and artist — but it is his work as a painter that holds special interest. Inspired by his cousin Velino Shije Herrera (Ma Pe Wi) of Zia Pueblo, Toledo began painting while studying at the Albuquerque Indian School and later earned degrees from the University of New Mexico and UC Berkeley. Though he painted infrequently while pursuing his academic and professional career, his traditional Pueblo-style works — often dynamic dance scenes or village life rendered against plain backgrounds — are now rare and sought after. In 1994, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe honored him with a retrospective shortly before his passing.

Condition: excellent condition and newly framed using acid-free, archival materials

Provenance: This Jemez Pueblo Raincloud Painting by José Rey Toledo is from a collector in Santa Fe.

Recommended Reading: DANCING SPIRITS: José Rey Toledo, Towa Artist (1915-1994) by Susan Scarberry-García for the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture exhibit

TAGS: Jemez Pueblo, Velino Shije Herrera - Ma Pe Wi, Zia Pueblo, paintings, José Rey Toledo