Original Painting Titled “Rabbit Dance” [SOLD]

Very little information is available regarding the life of Adolph Naranjo (1916-?) Ogowee.  According to Jeanne Snodgrass’ American Indian Painters: A Biographical Directory, Naranjo was born in 1916 at Santa Clara Pueblo.  His Indian name was Ogowee, or “Road Runner.” Snodgrass mentions that he was educated in Santa Fe, and so it is safe to assume that he attended the Santa Fe Indian School.  

A label on the back of this watercolor painting provides information about its origin: “‘Rabbit Dance’ painted by the Indian artist Adolph Naranjo (Santa Clara Pueblo) at age 18 (1934). Purchased from Galleria De Artes, La Mesilla, New Mexico, 5/72.”  This date places Adolph Naranjo among the early Santa Fe Indian School students.

This painting makes one wonder: why didn’t he continue painting? Or, if he did, why aren’t his works widely recognized?  It’s an exceptional piece, and it’s the first by this artist that we’ve seen or handled. It’s very much an Indian School (or “flat style”) painting, with its profile depictions of Pueblo dancers and bold, opaque watercolors. It differs greatly from works by the artist’s peers, however, in a way that is hard to define but most definitely noticeable.  Most immediately unique are the dancer’s faces and headpieces, which are large and blocky. Their eyes—horizontal capital A’s, with their interiors left unpainted—do bear a resemblance to those created by better-known Pueblo artists like Tonita Peña, but their faces are otherwise very unique.

The dancers’ bodies and clothing are also reminiscent of those featured in Peña’s work, though they’re quite a bit simpler here, which is understandable given that this was created by a young student. Their tall headpieces and textured animal pelts provide another welcome deviation from the dance regalia that is most frequently depicted in the artworks of this period.  The four figures are nearly identical, pictured in line with another and identically posed. This atypical arrangement creates a very appealing image. Naranjo used bold colors and thick outlines to wonderful effect here, and covered the majority of the paper with his dancers. This rare early pueblo painting is enormously appealing, and makes us wonder what became of this gifted youngster.  

The painting is signed and dated in lower right.

Provenance: property of Dr. and Mrs. Don Toomey as of June 1972, when it was framed.  Purchased from Galleria De Artes. La Messilla, New Mexico 5/72.

Condition: this Original Painting Titled "Rabbit Dance" is in good condition—signature is partly faded but legible, a few minor imperfections in the paper

Recommended Reading: American Indian Painters: A Biographical Directory by Jeanne Snodgrass

Related Links: Native American Painting, Adolph Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo