The Corn Dancers by Gilbert Atencio

This beautiful painting of a male and female performing in the Corn Dance, was created by San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Gilbert Atencio. His works, while almost always traditional as far as subject matter goes, are instantly recognizable because of his exceptional technical abilities and keen eye for detail. This 1980 painting of two pueblo dancers is no exception. The dancers look about as real as possible with watercolors. Atencio honors the traditional style by focusing on the dancers and their clothing and expands on the style by successfully adding depth and detail.

Atencio's male figure, pictured on the left, dances in his traditional clothing. He carries a rattle and an evergreen bough, and every detail of his clothing is presented with incredible accuracy. The female dancer, pictured on the right, dances directly toward the viewer. She, too, is depicted with great care. Her large tableta is exceptional. It is apparent that she dances with intention. Atencio's color palette here is large and varied. His efforts to portray his subjects with accuracy and sensitivity were, as usual, successful.

In traditional pueblo style, the dancers are the main subject, with no landscape or sky, with the exception of the single corn plant, an acknowledgment of the Corn Dance. This wonderful painting will delight collectors with an appreciation for traditional Pueblo imagery.

Gilbert Atencio (1930-1995) Wah Peen attended Santa Fe Indian School, graduating in 1947. By the time he was twenty, he had exhibited at the Santa Fe Museum, the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, various Albuquerque venues, and the Philbrook Art Center in Oklahoma. By the time he reached 19 years of age, he had been awarded six first prizes, six second prizes and five third prizes. Atencio's family included four siblings, one of whom was well-known Santa Clara Pueblo potter Helen Gutierrez. His parents were Isabel Montoya (1899-1996) and Benjamin Atencio (? -1963). His grandmother and Maria Martinez's mother were sisters. His niece is Geraldine Gutierrez, who is a painter and potter from Santa Clara Pueblo

Atencio will certainly be recognized as one of the finest pueblo painters of the second half of the 20th century - not only from San Ildefonso Pueblo, but among all pueblo painters. His attention to detail was unparalleled. A professional medical illustrator at Los Alamos National Labs, Atencio carried his precise drawing and painting skills over to his fine art paintings. His crisply drawn and clearly colored renderings of ceremonial and home life have, since around 1947, been favorites in many shows. Much of Atencio's inspiration for paintings came from stories his aunts told him about their lives. His style varied from the traditional flat style done early in his career, to more realistic paintings done later in his career. Atencio passed away in 1995 and remains highly regarded by collectors.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this painting of The Corn Dancers by Gilbert Atencio was originally purchased from Tom Woodard Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. Now from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery.

Recommended Reading: AMERICAN INDIAN PAINTING of the Southwest and Plains Areas by Dorothy Dunn

TAGS: Native American Paintings, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Isabel M. Montoya, Maria Martinez, Gilbert Atencio (1930-1995) Wah Peen