Original Painting “Eagle Dancers and Drummer” [SOLD]

Bronson Wilbur Edwards came from a family of important Ottawa Indians.  His maternal grandfather was Mon Ton Kee, an Ottawa Chief (1880-1888).  His great grandfather was Ottawa Chief, John W. Early, Wask Kos.

Bronson Edwards lived in Miami, Oklahoma.  He had attended High School there and then took correspondence courses in art.  His career included sign painter, commercial artist, free-lance artist, and painter.  He apparently did not begin to paint seriously until 1947, so he only had a 25-year art career.

He is known to have painted murals in the Burtrum Motor Company in Miami, OK; at the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs, CO; and in the St. James Hotel in Miami, OK.  His work is included in the Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, and the Seneca Indian School in Wyandotte, Michigan.  He was exhibited in numerous venues but was featured in solo exhibits at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Southern Plains Indian Museum and Craft Center in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

This painting of two Eagle Dancers and a drummer is dated 1966.  Interestingly, Edwards’ style of painting resembles that of The Studio of the Santa Fe Indian School although he was far removed from Santa Fe.  This painting shows the three participants and no other features except the most minimum ground plane.  There was no outlining in pencil prior to painting, a sign of a painter sure of his intent.

Condition: appears to be in original condition.  The framing materials are archival so there is no concern about condition.

Provenance: from a resident of California who inherited her mother’s extensive Native American art collection.

Recommended Reading: Brody, J. J., Indian Painters and White Patrons, UNM Press, 1971