Harrison Begay Untitled Painting of Diné Social Dance [SOLD]

This untitled original painting was made by Diné of the Navajo Nation artist Harrison Begay. Measuring a foot and a half in height by two and half feet in width, this is an enormous piece, at least by Begay's standards. It depicts a Diné social dance, and it includes a total of 34 figures. Each figure was depicted carefully and in great detail, and the group as a whole is lively and appealing. An impressively large palette, consisting mostly of bright colors and gentle pastel tones, further enhances the warm spirit of the image.

The figures are arranged in a rectangular formation. Many are paired up into couples, dancing and smiling at their partners. Others gather in groups, watching the dancers. Many hold or wear colorful textiles, and all are dressed in fine attire and beautiful jewelry. This piece likely dates to the 1950s or 1960s, a period during which Begay excelled on a technical level. By any measure, this is an exceptional example of Harrison Begay's work.

The painting is signed Harrison Begay in lower right and Haskay Yahne Yah in lower left. It was framed recently using high quality materials, including an off-white matte, a carved gold frame, and UV protective glass.

Harrison Begay (1917-2012) Haskay Yahne Yah - The Wandering Boy was a world-renowned Diné (Navajo) painter who is generally regarded as one of the most successful and influential early Native American painters. Begay studied under Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School in the 1930s, and then attended colleges in North Carolina and Arizona. From 1942 to 1945, he served in the US Army Signal Corps. In 1947, Begay returned to the Navajo reservation, where he enjoyed a long and productive career as a painter. He is known to have continued painting into his 90s. Begay passed away in 2012, leaving behind a large body of work and a legacy in the world of Native art.

Condition: this Harrison Begay Untitled Painting of Diné Social Dance is in excellent condition

Provenance:

- Ex collection of Teal McKibben, owner of La Bodega Boutique on Canyon Road.

- Came to Adobe Gallery from a private Santa Fe collection

Recommended Reading: Tanner, Clara Lee. SOUTHWEST INDIAN PAINTING a Changing Art

TAGS: Diné - Navajo, Harrison Begay, Dorothy Dunn, Native American Paintings