Triple Copper Plate Etching “Deerslayer’s Dream” [SOLD]

Deerslayer’s Dream is obviously a pleasant dream in which the hunter sees an almost unlimited number of deer.  Helen provided a ceremonial connection between the deer hunter and the deer by putting a “heartline” on both, a symbol of life often seen on pottery imagery but never on human imagery. 

Helen Hardin had only begun working with the etching process in 1980 and, by 1981, when she completed Deerslayer's Dream, she had most certainly mastered the technique. The is a multi-colored hand-printed etching executed on three copper plates—to achieve colors red, ochre, and brown. 

The Triple Copper Plate Etching Deerslayer's Dream was planned and executed at El Cerro Graphics in Los Lunas, New Mexico.  It was hand printed by William Boyson and Ricardo Ximenes.  It was issued in an edition of 65 copies plus other records of the standard etching process.  There was an edition of Roman numeral ones numbering I through VIII.  This is number III/VIII.

The etching was signed by the artist on lower right and numbered on lower left.  The chop mark is on lower left.

Condition:  The etching has now been framed using archival materials and UV protective glass.  It is framed in a gold color wood frame.

Provenance: from the personal collection of artist Amado Pena

Recommended Reading: Changing Woman: The Life and Art of Helen Hardin by Jay Scott.