"Blue Fawn and Tree" 1968 by Manuel Bob Chavez

This masterful modernist painting by Manuel Bob Chavez features a graceful fawn with long legs and an arched back with an upright tail. This image is superimposed over an evergreen tree backed by clouds in fine lines. It may be an understatement to say that this painting shows remarkable precision—a hallmark of Pueblo painting dating back to the earliest easel artists.

The technical virtuosity of this piece is evident in the distinct techniques employed: fine line work of the tree, graceful curves of the fawn, and selection of minimal pigments, all expertly mastered by the artist. Minimal use of ground plane and sky features, combined with modern design style of figures reflects the influence of the Santa Fe Indian School and later the Institute of American Indian Arts painting styles beautifully blended. This painting is signed Ow-u-Te-Wa '68 in the lower right corner. It is framed with a dark green lower mat, overlaid with a fabric covered cream top mat. The frame is silver-toned wood highlighted with green striipes.

About the Artist: Manuel Bob Chavez

Known for his use of bright colors in his compositions, Manuel Bob Chavez (1915-2003) Ow-u-Te-Wa ("Echo of a Song") was a respected artist and teacher at Cochiti Pueblo (Ko'tyit). After surviving the Bataan Death March during World War II, he returned to teach art at St. Catherine's Indian School in Santa Fe, where he created an art department from the ground up. His dedication to art education spanned four decades, earning him the title of "Living Treasure" in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this painting "Blue Fawn and Tree" by Manuel Bob Chavez 1968 is from a client from Santa Fe.

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting - a Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner

TAGS: Cochiti Pueblo, Native American Paintings, Manuel Bob Chavez