Original Painting “Snow Bird Dancer” [R]

Peña was a student of Dorothy Dunn at The Studio of the Santa Fe Indian School in the early 1930s. He had, however, started painting earlier than the 1920s, and continued until his death in 1979. His complete name was José Encarnación Peña and his Native name was variously spelled Soqueen, Soqween, So Kwa a Weh, translated to "Frost on the Mountain." Those who remember him in his later years recall that he was called Enky (pronounced "inky").

Soqween's attention to detail was meticulous and his renderings of figures were sensitive and delicate.  His presentation of clothing and accessories was an accurate account of traditional dress for particular dancers.  His could be used to document ethnographically the clothing worn over time.  His paintings reflect a more realistic approach to painting what he saw and knew from pueblo life, than a more artistic approach for decorative purposes.

This painting is of a single dancer representing the Snow Bird, a dance of which I am not familiar.  The fact that Pena painted it is proof that it does exist and is probably danced at appropriate times at San Ildefonso Pueblo.

Condition:  appears to be in original condition but has not been examined out of the frame.  The full view of the artist board is shown without the use of a matboard. 

Provenance:  from a personal acquaintance of the artist now living in Colorado

Recommended Reading: American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas by Dorothy Dunn