Helen Hardin Aquatint Etching “Acoma Rooster” [SOLD]

A truly beautiful image of the Acoma foliate/avian tradition, printed in ochre, blue, and red against a hand-wiped background plate on cream paper. This work depicts the Acoma parrot (though titled as a rooster) perched atop an elaborate spray of foliage and intense blossoms and unopened floral buds. Beautifully balanced and etched with a suggestive, searching line with hatching and interior embellishments; charming and enchanting with superb color handling and sensitivity of line/mark.

The etching was begun on June 1, 1981 and completed on July 15, 1981.  The master printer was Ricardo C. Ximinez at El Cerro Graphics in Los Lunas, New Mexico.  The shop mark is on lower left, the printer’s mark is on lower right and the artist name, Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce,  is signed in lower right with her hallmark tree image.  There were 65 Arabic numbered in the edition and 8 in the Roman numbered edition.  This is number III of VIII in the Roman edition, which are the 8 copies allocated to the print shop for its records and distribution.  Helen Hardin was from Santa Clara Pueblo.

Condition: appears to be in original condition

Provenance: from the collection of artist Amado Pena

Recommended Reading:  Changing Woman: The Life and Art of Helen Hardin by Jay Scott