Chief Teaching His Son to be a Warrior [SOLD]

Many of Julian Martinez’s paintings feature pueblo dancers, dance scenes, or animals, but this one documents a teaching experience.  A father is teaching his son the ways of war or the way to be a warrior.  Both father and son are on horseback, riding bareback, with proper warrior head bonnets, spears, and clothing.  The younger one is on the left with his spear raised.  The young man’s face expresses fear or anger and the father’s face expresses calm.

The painting of a Chief Teaching His Son to be a Warrior is an earlier one by Julian and was executed in the traditional pueblo style of no ground plane or background flora.  There are clouds above with hints of rain starting to fall.  Julian’s signature is unlike any I have ever seen from him in that his name is painted on the outstretched wings of a thunderbird.  The painting is dated 1935 in the book that is referenced below.

This painting is illustrated on page 193 of Through Their Eyes—Indian Painting in Santa Fe, 1918-1945 by Michelle McGeough, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, 2009 

Condition: very good condition

Provenance:

-        Most likely from Fisher Galleries in Albuquerque, based on a typed identification card on yellow stock which appears on all paintings from Mrs., Fisher’s gallery, which closed in the 1990s.

-        Presently from the collection of Charlotte G. Mittler, purchased in 1993

Recommended Reading: Through Their Eyes—Indian Painting in Santa Fe, 1918-1945 by Michelle McGeough, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, 2009

Photo of Julian Martinez copyright Adobe Gallery.  Do not use without permission.  Written on the back of the photograph: 

San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM
Sun 8/23/31
Maria's husband stands beside our car. He was a good natured and a well-mannered fellow. 
Mara is a famous pottery maker. Their work is much in demand. 
I have 4 pieces.

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