Watercolor Painting of Two Diné Dancers by Edison Smith [SOLD]

This original painting was created by Diné artist Edison Smith.  It features two men performing a ceremonial dance.  Each man wears a tall headdress and carries a dance wand.  The wands and the headdresses are adorned with feathers.  A basket rests on the ground directly between the men, and a cloud formation hovers overhead.  A Diné friend assisted us by identifying the dance being performed: “The Feather Dance of the Mountainway ceremony, on the final night.”

Smith’s work here is excellent, which leads us to wonder why we have not seen more work from the artist.  It is stylistically reminiscent of the work of Beatien Yazz.  Smith seems to have a keen eye for detail; the painting’s incredible intricacies deserve a close look.  The linework is thin and precise, and the colors have an appeal that is similar to that which is seen in Yazz’ work.  This is a fine example of Diné artistry.

The painting is signed Edison Smith in lower right.  It is framed under a brown mat with a pink interior band, in a carved wood frame.

Little information is available about Edison Smith, the (presumably) Diné artist who created this painting.  Patrick D. Lester’s The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters includes Smith, noting that he had solo exhibits at the Wheelwright Museum at the Philbrook Museum from 1946-1979.  We have found information online about an Edison Smith who is known as a jeweler, but are unable to confirm whether or not he also creates paintings.  We have a video of jeweler Edison Sandy Smith displayed on his biographical page. As always, we welcome the input of any readers who might know more about this artist.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Watercolor Painting of Two Diné Dancers by Edison Smith is from a private Colorado collection

Reference: Patrick D. Lester, The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters

Relative Links: Native American Paintings, Diné of the Navajo Nation, Edison Smith, Diné Artist