Large Corn Dance Ceremony with 32 Participants [SOLD]

José Disiderio (J.D.) Roybal [1922-1978] Oquwa - Rain God spent a large portion of his career painting small miniature paintings—generally the size of note cards or postcards—featuring two or three costumed dancers. These were his bread-and-butter paintings, as they were inexpensive and easy to sell. Occasionally, he painted larger scale paintings, which usually featured two or three costumed dancers. Only rarely did he paint major dance ceremonies with background materials behind the dancers.

This is one of the major watercolors on paper that Roybal executed. It has 32 human figures and a major kiva. The image records the procession of pueblo female and male dancers with a drummer providing the beat. There is a Koosa Clown among the dancers, and more of them on top of the kiva. The Koosa Clowns on top of the kiva are relaxing, smoking and eating watermelon.

All the figures are marvelously rendered and painted, with typical attention to detail in the depiction of accoutrement such as the jewelry being worn and the face paint of the dancers, as well as the drums, woven sash belts and the high Pueblo-style moccasins worn by the male dancers. The figures stand upon an abstracted baseline with polychrome kiva-step motifs. Behind the row of dancers looms a large kiva, which anchors the painting and provides a backdrop for the dancers.

The painting is signed in the image J.D. Roybal.

Condition:  It is in excellent condition.

Provenance: from the Charlotte G. Mittler collection, purchased in 1994 from Lovena Ohl Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Recommended Reading: Through Their Eyes—Indian Painting in Santa Fe, 1918-1945 by Michelle McGeough, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, 2009