Original Painting of a Forest Scene with Animals [R]

Tesuque Pueblo painter Tim Vigil passed away in 1972, but his age is not known at that time.  He was the son of Thomas Vigil (c1889-1960), one of the earliest 20th century Pueblo painters, and the brother of Paul Vigil.  Tim was not a prolific painter as he was employed full-time at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Clara Lee Tanner’s book, Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art notes that his work is “sometimes on the light side…”  This painting, signed and dated 1972, suggests that Vigil’s “light” side was just that.  He has a pair of deer in fierce combat and a pair of bear cubs frolicking in the snow with a rabbit and fox.

This apparently is among the last paintings that Tim Vigil completed as it is dated 1972, the same year he passed away.

Condition: it is in excellent condition

Provenance: from the collection of a Santa Fe resident

Reference: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner