Original Diné (Navajo) Painting "Blessing Ceremonial" [R]

Special Offer: The consignor of this outstanding painting by Andy Tsihnahjinnie has requested that we lower the price from $2200 to $1750. 

Andy Tsihnahjinnie was born near Chinle, Arizona in 1916. He attended elementary school at the Indian School at Fort Apache, but ran away and returned back to the reservation. He then attended school in Santa Fe and became a student of Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School. He was an avid student and was known to have stayed in the studio painting until forced to return to the dormitory. Following his graduation he went to work as an illustrator for the Indian Service.

Tsihnahjinnie’s best work is his portrayal of Navajo life and ceremonies. He is known for his attention to detail in paintings. This painting reflects a Navajo Blessing Ceremony. There are the Navajo Yei Dancers and a male and female, dressed in traditional clothing, spreading sacred cornmeal over the dancers.

The artist signed his name in lower right as A. Tsinajinnie. Over the period of his career, Tsihnahjinnie signed his name in several spellings. We are using the spelling published in two books that contain information of his life and life’s work. Signed on verso, in the artist’s hand, is “many, many best wishes, Navajo artist, Andy Tsinajinnie, Blessing Ceremonial.”