Looking Into the Snowy Wilderness [SOLD]

Set against a snowy, mountainous backdrop, this extremely profound work by Comanche artist Doc Tate Nevaquaya evokes a strong sense of tranquility. Nevaquaya had a gift for adding a strong depth of feeling into his paintings, and here the viewer can almost feel the bone chilling air around the scene.

Seen here is a Native American man carrying a spear and a wagon wheel, kneeling in front of his horse. Behind them is a beautiful mountain and in front are some rocks and shrubs, all of which are covered in snow. Based on the positioning of the man's feathers, tassels, and the horse's feathers, it looks to be a rather windy day. The horse is a beautiful gray color with snow on his back, and looks onward past the man in the same direction. It is likely they are in the middle of an expedition, and have stopped for a moment to scout.

Nevaquaya has added tremendous detail to this piece, and the man is dressed in a light blue outfit adorned with a sash, a headdress, tassels, moccasins, earrings, and many other accessories. The attention to detail is especially seen on the wheel, which has snow collected around each of the spokes. One can imagine how much time and precision it takes to properly convey this level of imagery and exactness.

There is a lot to reflect on in this remarkable painting, but that should be left up to the viewer. One thing is sure though, Nevaquaya's work certainly did not suffer from a lack of dignity and nobility.

Doc Tate Nevaquaya (1932 - 1996) was a Comanche painter and musician. He was given the name Joyce Lee Tate Nevaquaya when he was born in 1932 at Apache, Oklahoma. He had been delivered by a physician named Dr. Joyce, and the family honored the doctor by using Joyce for their son's first name. He was nicknamed Doc, most likely because of his relationship to the physician. He was always known as Doc Tate. He was orphaned at age 13 and went to live with his grandparents, thus strengthening his relationship with his Comanche heritage. As an adult, he was a man of many talents—teacher, minister, lecturer, historian, dancer, composer, singer, flutist, and painter. His interest in the courting flute—a traditional instrument that is played by many American Indian tribes during courtship and fertility rituals—began in childhood and eventually became his primary creative interest. Doc Tate became an accomplished flutist, instructor, and lecturer and was one of the leaders in a 1970s revival of the courting flute. Later in life, he released two recordings of his courting flute compositions.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this painting titled Looking Into the Snowy Wilderness is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading: The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters by Patrick Lester

TAGS: Comanche, Native American Paintings, Doc Tate Nevaquaya