Indian at the Lake by Fritz Scholder [SOLD]

“One color by itself isn't that interesting—it's the second color and third color, and a dialogue starts and pretty soon you're swept up in it.” - Fritz Scholder

Fritz Scholder (1937-2005) was a world-renowned painter, printmaker and sculptor of Luiseño descent.  Trained as an abstract painter, he had little interest in the representational paintings of ceremonial functions that were being made and sold by Native artists.  Anglo-American artists’ portrayals of Indian subjects were, in his opinion, a “tremendous visual cliché.” Scholder, who at one point had vowed never to create works with Native themes or subject matter, would become one of the most famous and influential figures in the world of Native American art.  

In 1964, Scholder moved to Santa Fe to teach painting at the newly-established Institute of American Indian Arts.  He was surrounded by Native art, and began adding pieces to his personal collection.  He began attending ceremonial functions at the neighboring Pueblos.  Most importantly, he was inspired by the artworks being created by his young Native students.  In 1967, he began creating images of Indians in his own singular style.

In 1969, Scholder signed a contract with Albuquerque’s Tamarind Institute to create a portfolio of similarly-themed lithographs. His compositional talents and unique eye for color were well-suited to the unique medium.  Even his earliest attempts at Tamarind were artistic successes.  His Indians Forever suite, completed in 1971, contained depictions of Indians that ranged from nearly traditional to radically innovative.

“Indian at the Lake,” created in 1977 at Tamarind Institute, is equal parts tradition and innovation.  Its subject—an Indian on a horse, surrounded by a desert landscape—has been depicted in countless artworks.  Its execution, however, is truly remarkable. As was often the case with these later lithographs, Scholder created an abstract piece that provides just enough detail to inform the viewer of what it is they’re seeing.  The Indian, here, is no more important than the striking sea of color that surrounds him.  

Despite being composed mostly of blue, green and purple, the image feels warm and inviting. Scholder used six ink colors in this image, and created even more color by combining those six.  Instead of using linework to frame the titular Indian, he used bold blocks of color to create everything that surrounds his subject.  The Indian himself is actually the off-white paper upon which all of these vibrant colors are printed.  It is the product of a seasoned lithographer using the medium to its fullest potential.

“Indian at the Lake” is mounted with its edges exposed, and is signed and numbered by the artist.  This is number 16 of 75.  The lithograph was executed at Tamarind Institute, the renowned lithography workshop in Albuquerque that is affiliated with the University of New Mexico.

Condition: It is in excellent condition
Provenance: from the large collection of a Santa Fe resident
Recommended Reading: Fritz Scholder Lithographs by Clinton Adams