Original Painting of Pueblo Woman Making Pottery at Home [SOLD]

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Pablita Velarde, Santa Clara Pueblo Painter

Pablita Velarde (1918-2006) Tse Tsan - Golden Dawn shares her memories of her sister, Legoria Tafoya (1911-1984), making pottery.  She is holding the jar on her lap with her left hand inside the jar for stability while she paints the design with the paintbrush in her right hand.  On the table are her polishing stones and paint containers.  To her right are three unfinished pottery jars and bowl awaiting completion at another time.

As do most pueblo potters, she is working in her home.  Behind her is a display of blankets and a fox skin draped over a pole suspended from the ceiling. There is a blanket-covered banco under the window and textiles on the floor.  The potter appears to be over-dressed for painting pottery.  I would not suspect her to be wearing moccasins with leggings while at home.

Pablita spent most of her career painting with mineral earth pigments that she herself made from natural raw materials, but, occasionally, she painted with water-based paints, as in this painting.  She was equally proficient in both mediums.

Early Signature by this artist - Pablita Velarde (1918-2006) Tse Tsan - Golden DawnThe painting was executed on stiff paper and is signed in lower left, Velarde, which is an indication that it is a very early painting by her.  She later used her full name. The painting has just been framed using archival materials and a dark brown wood frame.


Condition: appears to be in good condition with very minor mat burn

Provenance: from a gentleman from Denver, Colorado

Recommended Reading:  Woman's Work: The Art of Pablita Velarde by Sally Hyer

Close up view of a section of this painting.


Pablita Velarde, Santa Clara Pueblo Painter
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