Original Oil Painting entitled “Rabbit Hunt—Taos” [SOLD]

The Native American attitude toward killing animals unnecessarily is well established and historically recorded.  They kill animals when needed for food or other necessities, but not for sport.

There was a time when American bison roamed in limited numbers in the area north and east of Taos Pueblo and the Taos men would organize buffalo hunts on an annual basis.  As the bison population dwindled with trappers killing them for their hides for trade, the bison hunts slowed and came to an end.  The last recorded bison hunt by men of Taos Pueblo was in 1884 in the Texas Panhandle. Grant 1925

 “Right after the San Geronimo fiesta of that year, forty or fifty left for the east.  They were off for the land now called the Pan-handle of Texas.  Guns for the most part had displaced the bows and arrows but there were still some who trusted more to a good bow than any white man’s shooting stick.  The lightning would bring them luck and luck they did have.  They found the buffalo but he was grazing peacefully among cattle.  Fifty-four were soon killed and the meat jerked.  The six tongues which our townsman, William L. McClure bought about Christmas time when the hunters returned were the last he ever had a chance to buy.  A grand pow-wow was held at the pueblo, described as ‘mostly noise.’ The buffalo hunt was over—over forever.”  Grant, 1925

Nearly all the game has left the pueblo land.  Deer, antelope and rams are frequently seen but at more distance than previous.  Rabbits are abundant but not hunted on a regular basis.  It takes too many to affect the diet of the average family.  The yearly communal “rabbit surround” was abandoned decades ago.

This painting captures beautifully the old “rabbit surround” as it was practiced before.  This painting is labeled “Rabbit Hunt Taos” and was painted by Helen Greene Blumenschein (1909-1989), daughter of Ernest Blumenschein (1874-1960), a member of the first generation of Taos artists, and his artist wife, Mary Blumenschein (1869-1958).  Taos Pueblo residents are gathered on foot and horseback ready to surround a group of rabbits that is hiding out in the brush.

The artist has beautifully presented the Taos Mountains, covered in snow, and grouped the Natives together in a manner that shows their insignificance to the great mountain.  They are a minor part of the painting, yet are the colorful focal point which draws the attention of the viewer.  The painting is signed with the initials H.B. in lower right.  It is not dated.  It has recently been framed in a handmade, gold leaf wood frame by Tres Mowka Framers of Santa Fe.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from a Santa Fe resident

Reference:  Grant, Blanche C., Taos Indians, Santa Fe New Mexican Publishing Corporation, 1925.