Zia Pueblo Painting of a Buffalo Dancer [SOLD]

Rafael Medina studied at the Albuquerque Indian School under the tutelage of Velino Herrera (Ma Pe Wi) of Zia Pueblo and Jose Rey Toledo of Jemez Pueblo.  Like other pueblo painters of the era, he painted in traditional two-dimensional style with his paintings void of background, foreground, or ground plane.  His colors and details were true to original dress and paraphernalia.

Medina painted earlier in his career on paper or board materials and later on the pottery made by his wife.  His earlier paintings on paper are particularly collectible.

This painting of a Zia Pueblo Buffalo Dancer is presented in active dance mode as one would witness the dancer in action.  The musculature of torso, arms and legs is particularly well done, and the details in the dance sash as is swings back and forth is of the finest presentation.

This is an exceptional painting by Medina and is framed using acid-free materials and a wood frame.

Condition:  appears to be in very good condition but has not been examined out of the frame.

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust

Recommended Reading:  Southwest Indian Painting: a Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner