Fritz Scholder Lithograph titled “Indian with Beaded Sash” [SOLD]

"Indian with Beaded Sash" is a lithograph by Luiseño artist Fritz Scholder. It was completed in 1975 at Tamarind Lithography Workshop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The print was completed in an edition of 70 plus the typical assortment of color trial proof, bon a tirer, and artist proof prints.

"Indian with Beaded Sash" is a wonderful example of Scholder's mid-70s lithography work. By this time, Scholder and his collaborating printers were confidently creating complex images using multiple colors, and often allowing those colors to combine and interact with one another in interesting ways. Here, a sienna tone serves as the background and forms the patterns of lines that define the titular man's shirt. A bright red appears down below as two large forms that define his legs, as well as sparingly up above, where it combines with the sienna tone to create a darker brown. A bold blue combines with the aforementioned colors down below to create a shadowy, abstracted lower body. A cloud of blue near the man's lap loosely suggests folded hands, and an additional form up above interacts wonderfully with the red to form the man's face.

As is often the case with Scholder's figures, the details here are sparse but strong. The man's sash is notably sharp, with patterns emerging in bright blue and red. The striped shirt is a purposeful touch-its gently curving lines add depth and definition to the otherwise abstracted figure. Scholder's color choices work perfectly, and the piece as a whole is mysterious, compelling, and beautiful.

The lithograph is signed Scholder. It is marked with Scholder's chop mark and the blind stamps of Tamarind Workshop and collaborating printer Glenn Brill. It is hand-numbered 67/70. The print is mounted with its edges exposed over a purple background, within a wood frame and off-white matting.

Fritz Scholder (1937-2005) was an influential painter who was by birth one-quarter Luiseño Indian, a California Mission Tribe. He was born in Minnesota, spent two decades in the Dakotas, and lived in Galisteo, NM and Scottsdale, AZ. Scholder came to Santa Fe in 1964 to teach advanced painting and art history at the new Institute of American Indian Arts, a school established by the United States Department of the Interior. Scholder had obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Arizona in 1964 before moving to Santa Fe and joining IAIA. Scholder enjoyed a long and successful career and is regarded today as one of the most innovative and influential Native artists.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Fritz Scholder Lithograph titled "Indian with Beaded Sash" is from a private Santa Fe collection

Recommended Reading: Fritz Scholder Lithographs, text by Clinton Adams

TAGS: Luiseño Indian, Santa Fe, Paintings, Lithographs, Albuquerque, Fritz Scholder