Original Painting of Plaza Dance with Rainbows and Rain by Romando Vigil

This original painting by Romando Vigil of a plaza dance with rainbows and rain beautifully captures the rhythm and symbolism of a Pueblo ceremonial dance. Five dancers move in unison, all facing left, each adorned with traditional attire. The women dancers wear tablitas on their heads, emblems of spiritual significance and ceremonial identity. The dancers are painted with sensitivity and careful attention to the accuracy of their costumes, highlighting Vigil's deep respect for his cultural heritage.

Above the dancers, three rainbows arch across the sky, each accompanied by rain clouds and softly falling rain. The central rainbow glows in green and ochre tones, flanked by two dramatic arcs in deep red and blue. These elements, rainbows and rain, symbolize the blessings of moisture, abundance, and harmony with the natural world. These are themes that are central to Pueblo life and ceremony.

The painting is signed in the lower right corner with Vigil's Tewa name, Tse Ye Mu (Falling Cloud).

Romando Vigil (1902-1978) Tse Ye Mu - Falling Cloud was a prominent figure in the San Ildefonso Watercolor Movement, known for his elegant stylization and masterful use of line and color. He developed a unique visual language to portray ceremonial dancers, often omitting background and foreground elements to focus purely on the figures. Educated at the Santa Fe Indian School, Vigil later worked at Walt Disney Studios where he refined his technique. He was the father of renowned potter Carmelita Dunlap and the husband of Juanita Vigil, sister of Maria Martinez. This painting exemplifies his gift for expressing cultural depth through refined simplicity and vibrant form.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: This Original Painting of Plaza Dance with Rainbows and Rain by Romando Vigil is from a collector in Albuquerque.

Recommended Reading: American Indian Painting and Sculpture by Patricia Janis Broder

TAGS: Native American Painting, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Santa Fe, Carmelita Dunlap, Maria Martinez, Romando Vigil (1902-1978) Tse Ye Mu - Falling Cloud