Original Painting of Talavai Katsinas in Plaza [SOLD]

Raymond Naha was one of Fred Kabotie’s students. He was best known for his stylistic break from the early painting style of the Dorothy Dunn School. He continued to paint traditional subject matter, but in a more European style. He concentrated on accenting the fine details of ceremonial paraphernalia using a wider range of colors and incorporating a sense of movement in his subjects.

This is an excellent example of Naha’s ability to paint the fine details of a Pueblo dancer. The headdress is realistically rendered. The feather crown behind the head and the down feathers floating on top of the head are rendered in outstanding detail. The evergreen ruff around the neck and the evergreen tree are of the finest detail. The embroidery of the cape illustrates the reverse of the pattern on the interior of the cape. It is in small details like these in which Naha excelled.

Originally the Talavai appeared in pairs on the rooftops and sang songs, waking the residents of the village. According to Barton Wright, they no longer perform this function, but do continue to dance with the other katsinas in the Powamu Ceremony.

Condition: This painting is in original excellent condition. It is not dated by the artist, but appears to be from the 1960 decade.

Provenance: From the personal collection of a member of the Balcomb family, owner of Balcomb’s Gallery, at one time located in Arizona, then Taos, Gallup, and Albuquerque, but closed since 1976.