Original Diné Painting of a Navajo Yeibichai Dancer [R]

Special Offer: The consignor of this painting has authorized us to reduce the price by 1/3rd from the original posted price of $1200 to a new price of only $800.

Harrison Begay was born in 1914 on the Navajo (Diné) Reservation. He attended the Santa Fe Indian School and studied under art teacher Dorothy Dunn. His distinctive style of painting has been popular for over 75 years. His art has influenced an entire generation of Native American painters.

The Yeibichai dance is part of an ancient healing ceremony that continues today and is a vital part of the traditional Diné lifestyle. In a world where the children play on computers and go away to colleges in other states, the Yeibichai and its blessings are a way to keep a connection to the past.

In this painting, Begay has captured the power and beauty of a single Diné Yeibichai dancer. Yeibichai appear during the final night of a Diné healing ceremony. As a group, they dance and sing in a line. Their efforts result in restoring balance and harmony to the patient. Here, a singular Yeibichai is shown carrying a rattle in one hand and evergreen cuttings in another.

Begay includes many of the delightful details for which he is known. On either side of the dancer is a small tree or bush. Above his head is a spirit hovering, protecting the Yeibichai as well as all who are part of the ceremony.

This painting is not only beautiful, but a powerful reminder of the ability of the Diné to stay connected to the old ways while living in the twenty first century. It is signed in lower left with the Diné name of the artist and on the right with his English name. The painting is matted and framed and ready to hang.