Harrison Begay Original Painting of Two Yei Figures [SOLD]

This painting was created by notable Diné artist Harrison Begay. A Diné friend of the gallery identified the figures depicted in the painting, saying, "this painting depicts two Yeiis, ready to offer herbs to a patient. The figure on the left is Hache'yalti', or ‘Talking God.' The figure on the right is Hache'dolih', or ‘Blue Bird Yeii.'" The two figures face the viewer directly, revealing the details of their intricately portrayed masks and clothing. The ground beneath their feet, interestingly, looks like an inverted variation of the billowing cloud formations that appear often in Diné paintings. The color palette is wonderful, the composition is strong, and the linework is of notably high quality and consistency.

This painting dates to the 1930s, which places it early in Begay's career. These early works rarely surface on the market, and when they do, they are usually claimed quickly. The style and energy of these 1930s pieces set them apart from later works, at least among those who appreciate these more adventurous compositions.

The painting is signed H. Begay in lower left. It is framed using archival materials and a beautiful, thin wood frame.

Harrison Begay (1917-2012) Haskay Yahne Yah - The Wandering Boy was a world-renowned Diné (Navajo) painter who is generally regarded as one of the most successful and influential early Native American painters. Begay studied under Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School in the 1930s, and then attended colleges in North Carolina and Arizona. From 1942 to 1945, he served in the US Army Signal Corps. In 1947, Begay returned to the Navajo reservation, where he enjoyed a long and productive career as a painter. He is known to have continued painting into his 90s. Begay passed away in 2012, leaving behind a large body of work and a legacy in the world of Native art.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Harrison Begay Original Painting of Two Yei Figures is from a private Santa Fe collection

Recommended Reading: American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas by Dorothy Dunn (1903-1992)

TAGS: Navajo, Native American Paintings, Harrison Begay