Koosa Clown Offering Watermelon to a Young Boy [SOLD]

The Art of the Lesson: Gilbert Atencio's "Koosa and the Watermelon"

In this masterful 1951 painting, Gilbert Atencio (Wah Peen) captures a moment of "sacred mischief." A Koosa Clown tempts a young boy with a slice of watermelon, a classic setup for a Pueblo moral lesson.

True to clown fashion, the fruit will likely be yanked away at the last second. In Pueblo culture, clowns are not just entertainers; they are the "purveyors of proper behavior." Through this playful trickery, the Koosa teaches the boy (and the community) that gluttony is a deviation from the balanced "Pueblo Way." Looking closely, we see the boy's mother watching; it was likely she who encouraged the Koosa to provide this spirited instruction.

The Sacred Paradox: Who are the Koosa?

While often associated with the Hopi (where they are called Koshare), these clowns actually originated with the Tewa-speaking Pueblos of New Mexico. They arrived at Hopi in the 18th century with Tewa immigrants.

Within the ceremonial hierarchy, the Koosa hold a singular position as the "fathers" of the katsinas and the keepers of village mores. Their humor is "sacred" because it explores the boundaries of what is socially acceptable, using satire to reinforce tradition.

Technical Mastery: From Anatomy to Art

Painted when Atencio was only 21 years old, this work is a breathtaking display of technical precision. While he worked within the traditional "Pueblo Flat Style," Atencio introduced a level of depth and realism that became his signature.

Later in life, Atencio's "day job" as a medical illustrator at Los Alamos National Labs deeply informed his fine art. The same hand that rendered precise anatomical charts for scientists created the extraordinary facial expressions and perfect costuming seen here.

The mother is rendered in a traditional manta (black dress) with a vibrant red belt and moccasins. The boy is dressed in ceremonial finery, prepared for a plaza dance. The Koosa is adorned in iconic wide black-and-white stripes, representing the duality of his nature.

A Legacy of Excellence

Gilbert Atencio (1930-1995) was born into a "royal family" of San Ildefonso art. His grandmother and Maria Martinez's mother were sisters, and his sister was the renowned Santa Clara potter Helen Gutierrez.

Atencio's career was meteoric. By age 20, he was already exhibiting at the Philbrook Art Center and the Santa Fe Museum. He remains recognized as one of the most technically gifted Pueblo painters of the 20th century. He was an artist who could turn a simple lesson about a watermelon into a monumental record of Pueblo life.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Koosa Clown Offering Watermelon to a Young Boy is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

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