Watercolor of Diné Warriors from Tsihnahjinnie’s Sketchbook

This watercolor image of a warrior group of Diné men was painted on a page in the sketchbook of the artist, Andrew Tsihnahjinnie. It is signed but not dated. It remains a mystery as to why such a completed painting would be executed in the artist's sketchbook, and to whom he sold it or to whom he gave it. The painting is well beyond a sketch but is a completed work in watercolor.

It's an action packed image with the leader of the pack being the largest image. He is actively encouraging his horse to speed up. Following him is a younger warrior equally pushing his horse to run faster. The third warrior is lagging behind but attempting to catch up. Far back are two others on a small scale.

Thihnahjinnie, in an unusual style for his work, painted the leading hr=orse in multiple colors-yellow, pink, and white with black outlining. The horses' manes and tails, and the warriors' hair and feathers are wildly blowing in the wind.

This captivating painting by Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie (1918-2000) captures a moment in time of Diné warriors pursuing an enemy or fleeing from an enemy. It is a highly action-filled painting that beautifully captures the intensity of the scene.

A bonus with this painting is an additional pencil sketch on the back of the watercolor paper. It is a rough sketch of a Diné on horseback chasing a bison. It is very preliminary in style and perhaps was a thought for a future work.

Both works of art are back-to-back and framed with glass on both sides. One has a choice on which image to view, however, the watercolor is the finished product and the pencil sketch is not.

Condition: good condition for works not intended to be finished products.

Provenance: this Watercolor of Diné Warriors from Tsihnahjinnie's Sketchbook is  from a private Santa Fe collection

Recommended Reading: Quincy Tahoma, The Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist by Charnell Havens and Vera Marie Badertscher

TAGS: Navajo, Santa Fe, Dorothy Dunn, painting, Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie