Harry Fonseca Nocturne, Stone Poem [SOLD]

"Nocturne, Stone Poem" is an original painting by influential Maidu artist Harry Fonseca. A biography on Fonseca's website describes the origin and intention of the artist's "Stone Poem" series: "Fonseca's continuing interest in rock art led him to develop the Stone Poems, an extensive series of works exploring the imagery of petroglyphs, not only from California but throughout the West and Southwest, especially Utah. The Stone Poems are not meant to be so much an interpretive recording of rock images but a way of self-exploration. The canvases, some as large as 6' by 12', suggest the size and scope of petroglyphic panels in situ."

A "nocturne" is an artwork that is inspired by or evocative of the night. Fonseca's interpretation appropriately presents its petroglyph-inspired imagery through the blurry lens of the midnight hour. The black and blue tones of the background establish the setting, while a web of lines and a smattering of dots in bright white define three figures. They hold what appear to be shields, and they face the viewer directly. Additional elements appear around and behind the figures, adding movement and energy to the dreamy image.

The painting is signed near the lower left with the artist's HF symbol. It is mounted with the entire paper exposed, over a fabric backing and under plexi, in a white frame.

Harry Fonseca (1946-2006) was an artist of Portuguese, Hawaiian, and Nisenan-Maidu descent. He was born January 5, 1946, in Sacramento, California, and was raised in Bryte, California. Fonseca attended local schools including California State University, in Sacramento, where he majored in fine art with emphasis on "primitive" styles and forms. Fonseca drew from a deep well of influences—his own heritage, symbols, and imagery from various Native peoples, the natural world, the California Gold Rush, religious and mythological imagery—while developing a unique style that remains highly desirable to collectors. Fonseca received much acclaim and recognition during his career and continues to do so since his passing in 2006.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Harry Fonseca Nocturne, Stone Poem is from the collection of a Dr. Lowell Bean, a notable California-based anthropologist, professor, and writer.

Reference: Artist's website (www.harryfonseca.com)

TAGS: Maidu, fine art, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harry Fonseca