Original Acrylic Painting of Two Indians [SOLD]

Early in his career, Fritz Scholder (1937-2005) stated that, despite being of Luiseño descent, he would never “paint the Indian.”  As an abstract painter with postmodern sensibilities, he had little interest in the traditional flat-style watercolors being made and sold by Native artists.  Anglo-American artists’ romanticized portrayals of Native Americans as noble savages and wise spiritualists had become, to him, a “tremendous visual cliché.”

In 1964, Scholder moved to Santa Fe to teach painting at the newly-established Institute of American Indian Arts.  He found himself surrounded by Native culture, and began attending ceremonial dances at the neighboring pueblos.  He began adding pieces of Native art to his personal collection.  Most importantly, he was inspired by the fresh and exciting creative voices of his students.  He ultimately decided to paint Indian subjects, but to do so on his own terms and without regard for tradition.

Scholder painted his first Indian during the winter of 1967—nearly fifty years ago.  He would go on to create hundreds of images of Indians, some of which would become iconic works.  Many of these images depicted Indians in modern settings, often while dressed in ceremonial regalia.  These images were humorous, ironic, and occasionally shocking.  Others were more traditional: portraits, straightforward depictions of Kachina dances, and pueblo ceremonial scenes.  That these works have aged so well and become so highly collectible speaks to Scholder’s natural ability to create art that is both beautiful and forward-thinking.

A handful of Scholder’s most striking works shelve the humor and irony in favor of a more straightforward depiction of the beauty of Native culture.  This untitled acrylic painting of two Indian men is a fine example of Scholder doing exactly that.  His brushwork is expressive and full of life, his color choices bold and impactful.  The purple with which he created his subjects is thick and dark in some areas and bright and transparent in others.  His subjects’ faces are calm and beautiful, their clothing vibrant and colorful.  He chose, combined and blended his colors masterfully, resulting in a wealth of depth and texture that becomes more rewarding with repeated viewings.  

This painting was completed in the late 1960s, when Indian subject matter was still fairly new territory for Scholder.  The handmade Arches paper, which is embossed “VERITABLE PAPIER D’ARCHES FIN,” is framed beautifully and mounted with its edges exposed.  It is signed by the artist in the upper right.

Condition: this Original Acrylic Painting of Two Indians is excellent original condition

Provenance:  from the large collection of a Santa Fe resident

Recommended Reading:  Fritz Scholder—an Intimate Look, Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, Santa Fe, 2008