Untitled Painting of a Running Antelope [SOLD]

Ben Quintana (1923-1944) Há-ā-tee was a painter from New Mexico’s Cochiti Pueblo.  Clara Lee Tanner’s Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art describes Quintana as one of Cochiti’s “most promising” artists.  In 1940, while studying at the Santa Fe Indian School, he was awarded a notable prize from American Magazine for a painting titled “My Community, Its Place in the Nation.”  His works were exhibited in prestigious galleries, and he was hired to create murals for the Cochiti and Santa Fe Indian Schools.  He would likely be referred to as one of Cochiti’s “best” rather than one of Cochiti’s “most promising,” but he unfortunately lost his life at a young age.  On November 9, 1944, Quintana was killed in combat while serving in World War II. He was just 21 years old.

In Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art, Tanner elaborates further on Quintana’s skill and significance:  "This sensitive artist neglected no small detail in his painting. Colors employed by the young artist are soft and pleasing throughout, and his treatment is direct and honest.  Despite the amount of detail, there is no cluttered feeling to this creation… Cochiti's greatest contributions, in the field of Southwestern Indian art have certainly come through Tonita Peña and her son, Joe H. Herrera. Both have done important work in carrying on the traditional pueblo style of presentation....Had Ben Quintana lived, unquestionably, he would have equaled these two."

This untitled painting of an antelope in motion was completed in 1938 by a 15-year-old Ben Quintana.  It’s a charming, sweet image, completed in the traditional style that was taught to Indian School students.  There’s no background, no ground plane, nothing elaborate or distracting, just a single antelope and two small plants.  What is most impressive about the piece is skill with which the antelope is depicted. Tanner described Quintana as “sensitive,” and this painting proves that this sensitivity was a gift that he possessed rather than a skill he was taught.  At just 15 years old, he hadn’t received a significant arts education. It would be a few years before he started being recognized. This painting is the work of a young man with a considerable talent. One can’t help but wonder—what would Ben Quintana have created had he not lost his life in the war?

The painting is signed Ben ‘38 in its lower right corner.  Written in pencil on the back is “Ben Quintana, Cochiti Pueblo, Antelope, $1.00”.  The painting is framed with archival materials, with a window in the back that allows the viewer to see this writing.

Condition: this Untitled Painting of a Running Antelope is in very good condition
Provenance: from the collection of a resident of New Jersey
Recommended Reading: Clara Lee Tanner’s Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art