Miniature Painting of a Buffalo Dance Grouping [SOLD]

J.D. Roybal was the nephew of Alfonso Roybal (Awa Tsireh). He did not become productive as a painter until the 1950s, and was most productive in the 1960-70 decade. He painted primarily in the traditional pueblo style while adding touches that are uniquely his own. Roybal used water-based paints. He developed fine color, excellent detail, small and fine lines, and gesturing figures in his work.

One of the more popular paintings by Roybal is a Buffalo Dance scene. Here he has painted two male Buffalo Dancers and a female dancer.  In the background, he added a pueblo village.  Though he occasionally made larger paintings, he was known for creating small, detailed pieces like this one.

Condition:  good condition

Provenance: Charlotte G. Mittler collection who purchased it in 1999 from a Santa Fe dealer who had originally purchased it in 1976.

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