Original Painting “Harvest Dance” [SOLD]

"Despite its proximity to the artistically active pueblo of San Ildefonso, and despite linguistic ties between the two, Santa Clara has produced a relatively small number of painters. Certainly the outstanding individual from this village is Pablita Velarde."
(Clara Lee Tanner, 1957)

One of the most interesting accomplishments of Pablita Velarde was her desire to perpetuate the traditional art of the pueblo through her paintings. She earlier painted mostly the household activities of the women at Santa Clara. Later she expanded her repertoire to include documenting full-scale ceremonial dances at the pueblo.

In this painting entitled "Harvest Dance" Pablita has captured the full essence of the dance in the plaza of the pueblo. It exhibits an extraordinary amount of fine detail and, in this respect, preserves valuable ethnological information. She has provided the proper costume detail from hairdo to moccasin, good composition, excellent faces and figures, shading in garments and skin, and exceptional fine detail.

First Place Winner!!  “Harvest Dance” won First Prize at the SWAIA Annual Indian Market in Santa Fe in 1973. It is in original excellent condition and is framed. The First Place Ribbon is also included.