Mimbres Quail Painting by Tony Da [SOLD]

Tony Da was first a painter before becoming a potter.  He began using casein paints in the 1950s and painted until he apprenticed to his grandmother, Maria Martinez, in the late 1960s.  After 1972, he did very little painting and became a famous potter.

Tony was enchanted with the art of the Mimbres Indians of New Mexico and many of his paintings reflect that interest.  This painting is an excellent example of such.  It is his version of a Quail in the way a Mimbres painter might have painted it on the inside of a pottery bowl.  Of course, the Mimbres only painted images in black pigment on white pottery, but Tony expanded the color palette.

The quail is of the shape of a Mimbres drawing, but the body has been elaborated on with a beautiful display of a circle forming two triangles and by adding a sunset orange color to the body. The quail’s tail feathers feature a typical Tony Da elaboration.

The painting is signed in lower right but not dated.  It is believed to date to the early 1970s.

Condition: appears to be in original condition

Recommended Reading: The Life and Art of Tony Da by Charles S. King