Original Diné (Navajo) Painting “Yeibichai Mask” [SOLD]

“In 1937, Nailor shared a studio in Santa Fe with Allan Houser. His paintings were exhibited in the home of Mrs. Hall Adams from 1943 to 1952. At the time of his death, he was living with his family at Picuris Pueblo, NM. Tragically, Nailor was only 35 years old when [he] died from injuries received in an attempt to help a woman whose husband was brutally beating her.” — Snodgrass, 1968.

Nailor’s paintings are among the rarest of the Dorothy Dunn students’ works because of his early death. He was an extraordinary artist whose work was of the finest detail.

This painting features a Yeibichai mask as the central element and it is surrounded by a Yeibichai figure. It is signed Gerald Nailor ‘52 in lower right. It appears to be in the original frame.

Condition: The painting appears to be in original excellent condition; however, it has not been examined out of the frame.

Provenance: ex. coll. California collector of Native American art.