Original Painting “Boy and Two Dogs” by Harrison Begay

This original painting, Boy and Two Dogs, by celebrated Navajo artist Harrison Begay (1917-2012) Haskay Yahne Yah (The Wandering Boy), beautifully captures a timeless scene of childhood wonder and cultural identity. Born in 1914, Begay studied under Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School, where he developed a distinctive style that blended traditional Navajo themes with a refined, illustrative technique. Over a career spanning more than 75 years, Begay became widely known for his depictions of Navajo life, ceremonies, and landscapes.

In this painting, Begay channels the purity and quiet strength of a young boy journeying across the landscape with his two loyal dogs. The child, armed with a bow, arrows, and a knife at his side, walks forward with a sense of purpose — symbolizing a step toward independence and manhood. The dogs, ever attentive, complete the trio in this peaceful exploration of the natural world.

Begay's mastery of color is on full display. Though the composition is grounded in the white of the paper, a gentle shift to a warmer white defines the soft forms of the clouds above. The golden tones of the chamisa float delicately atop their green stalks, while the hues in the boy's clothing are echoed and uplifted in the rainbow arching overhead. The rainbow perfectly frames a single blue bird, a quintessential motif in Harrison Begay's elaborate body of paintings. Each color choice harmonizes like music, subtle and intentional, creating a serene and cohesive visual rhythm.

The painting is signed Haskay Yahne Yah on the lower left and Harrison Begay on the lower right. Though undated, it is expertly framed, preserving both the delicate quality of the materials and the enduring spirit of the image. A sensitive and heartfelt portrayal, Boy and Two Dogs is a moving tribute to Navajo culture, the beauty of childhood, and the strength found in companionship.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This Original Painting "Boy and Two Dogs" by Harrison Begay is from a collector in Rio Rancho, NM.

Recommended Reading: Indian Art: The Dorothy Dunn Collection of Native American Paintings, published in El Palacio, Winter 1977

TAGS: Navajo Nation, Native American Paintings, Harrison Begay, Diné of the Navajo Nation Painter