Cochiti Pueblo Original Painting of a Grazing Fawn [SOLD]

At the age of 15, Quintana won first prize over 80 contestants, of whom 7 were Indians, for a poster to be used in the Coronado Cuarto Centennial celebration. Later, he won first prize and $1000 in an American Magazine contest in which there were 52,587 entries. As testimony to his interest, he used the prize money to further his art education.  At age 21, he was a casualty of World War II.

As a teenage artist, one would expect paintings that were less than perfect; however, Quintana was well above average even at that age.  His attention to detail is evident in all of his paintings and his treatment is direct and honest.  His use of soft colors provides a pleasing and relaxing image.  There is innocence to his paintings that might have been lost as he aged but we will never know.

This painting of a single fawn munching on the tuff of grass is evidence of his talent as a young artist.  The outline of the fawn is flawless and the painting is precise and evenly applied.  This is a good example of just how talented a young teenage Ben Quintana was.

On the original paper on verso is written in the artist's hand: Fawn By Ben Quintana Cochiti Pueblo Pena Blanca New Mexico Price 50 cents.

This painting and our item #C3267D are of the same style; same size and framed to match.  They would make a nice pair.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from a major painting collector family of Arizona

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting a Changing Art by Clare Lee Tanner