Original Painting of a Four-Figure Corn Dance by Tonita Peña

This four-figure painting portrays a Pueblo ceremonial Corn Dance in the traditional Pueblo style, characterized by the absence of a foreground and background. Tonita Vigil Peña (1893-1949) Quah Ah used opaque watercolor, skillfully varying the opacity to capture the dancers with a delicate yet precise touch.

Throughout her prolific career, Peña revisited this scene many times, making it an iconic image. However, this particular composition stands apart from her usual works, which often feature horizontal lines of dancers depicted side by side. Here, Peña's use of overlapping elements adds depth and dynamism. The composition is anchored by the diagonal banner, which frames the central female dancer, distinguished by her tablita headdress and evergreens in hand—signifying her importance within the scene.

As the only woman in the San Ildefonso Self-Taught Group, which included artists such as Julian Martinez, Alfonso Roybal, Abel Sanchez, Crecencio Martinez, and Encarnacion Peña, Tonita Peña was respected as an equal among her male peers.

Peña's paintings are celebrated for their spiritual depth and vitality, qualities that only a Native American artist deeply connected to ceremonial traditions could bring. Her delicate yet powerful portrayal of dance scenes is evident here, where the drummer's strong, expressive face and accurate ceremonial clothing further ground the painting in cultural authenticity. This painting is signed "Quah Ah T P. A."

Condition: very good condition with evidence of a couple small acid spots commensurate of its age and substrate. The painting has been framed with acid-free materials to prevent any further deterioration.

Provenance: this Original Painting of a Four-Figure Corn Dance by Tonita Peña is from a collector in Colorado

Recommended Reading: Tonita Peña by Samuel L. Gray, 1990. Avanyu Publishing (Alexander E. Anthony, Jr.), Santa Fe, New Mexico.

TAGS: San Ildefonso, Santa Fe, Cochiti Pueblo, Julian Martinez, Alfonso Roybal, Abel Sanchez, Crecencio Martinez, Encarnación Peña, Albuquerque, paintings, Joe Herrera, Tonita Vigil Peña, Quah Ah