Diné (Navajo) Original Painting “The Storyteller” [SOLD]

This original painting by Harrison Begay was purchased by the current owners from Kiva Fine Arts in Santa Fe in 1995.  The documentation provided to them at the time reads as follows:

                     “The piece (painting) came from a collection owned by Mary Lou Cervantes.  She acquired them directly from Harrison Begay in the 1960s through 1981.  Harrison often used her studio to paint in solitude.  In return, he gave her paintings in lieu of rent.  Harrison always told her they would be a good investment, so when her time of need came, she could liquidate them easily.

                     “We (Kiva Fine Arts) had the pieces looked at by two Indian art specialists.  They both said that the pieces are original works of art and also helped in setting prices.

                     “We are very pleased that Mary Lou chose our gallery to consign these beautiful works of art.”

                       Signed: Paula Rhae McDonald, Kiva Fine Arts

The two verbal appraisals obtained by Kiva Fine Arts were $2500 to $3500 from one person and $3000 to $3500 from the other.  In order to expedite sale of the painting, the current owners are offering it at the lower appraised value of $2500.  The original bill of sale to the current owners states that the painting dates to approximately 1970s.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from a Santa Fe family

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner