Original Painting "Navajo Traditional Square Dance" [SOLD]

Beatien Yazz got his start illustrating books about Navajos and life on the Navajo reservation. Born around 1928, he achieved fame early in life through illustrations published in Alberta Hannum’s book, Spin a Silver Dollar, in 1944. As a result, his paintings became very much in demand. Later, he illustrated another book, Paint the Wind, also by Hannum.

Most of his work reflects the everyday lives of the Navajo. His colors are strong and contrasting but seldom muted; and rich combinations of color are typical. He has always been a master of detail; painting the special nuances that make reservation life unique.

This painting by Yazz shows a young Navajo couple square dancing. Both are dressed in the traditional Navajo manner. There is no ground plane, nor is there any background or sky—nothing to take ones attention away from the dancers. The painting is signed B. Yazz ’79 in the lower right. It is in excellent condition.