Pablita Velarde’s Painting of Helen Hardin [SOLD]

This is a portrait of Helen Hardin painted by her mother, Pablita Velarde.  Helen is dressed in a buckskin dress with fringes on the sleeves, a beaded belt, beaded moccasins, and feathers in her hair secured with a beaded headband.  None of this is traditional pueblo clothing, but is the way Pablita chose to paint her daughter. There is a handwritten note on the back indicating that the painting is of Helen Hardin.

In traditional pueblo fashion, there is no ground plane or other objects, other than the main feature.  This is one of the best proportioned female images by Pablita.  Every detail is to scale.  Perhaps Helen modeled for this portrait.  It is an exceptional painting.  It has just been framed using archival materials.

Condition: the Pablita Velarde's Painting of Helen Hardin is in good condition.  The previous mat was glued to the paper.  The mat residue has been successfully removed from the paper with only a minor amount remaining.

Provenance: from a gentleman from Denver, Colorado.  A stamped note on the back-paper states that it was previously the property of Theo H. and Anna L. Read, 426 Abeyta Street, Santa Fe, New Mex

Recommended Reading: Pablita Velarde—Painter of Pueblo Life by Dorothy Dunn (1903-1992)