Pablita Velarde Original Painting of Family Members [SOLD]

This casein painting on paper by Pablita Velarde captures a pueblo scene featuring three generations of matriarchs from her family, arranged in descending size by age to enhance the storytelling within the image. On the left is Pablita's sister, Jane Baca, and the other prominent figure is Legoria Tafoya, both accomplished Santa Clara Pueblo potters. To the far right stands Helen Hardin, Pablita's daughter and a celebrated Santa Clara Pueblo painter, shown with her son, Michael. Between Jane and Legoria is Margarete, Helen's daughter, who went on to become a prominent painter in her own right in the latter part of the 20th century. At the women's feet is a collection of pottery, from small ceramic fetishes to larger vessels typical of Santa Clara Pueblo blackware, each emerging from a basket, one for each woman.

This piece demonstrates Pablita's refined painting technique, which is different from her earlier, more textured works that often incorporated pigment enhanced with minerals. Here, her delicate brushwork employs subtle gradations in the foreground and soft, muted pastels that emphasize the boldness of the figures and blackware pottery. As one of the first Native American women to gain national recognition, the legacy of Pablita Velarde (1918-2006) Tse Tsan - Golden Dawn endures through her unique storytelling and influence on future generations of artists.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Pablita Velarde Original Painting of Family Members is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: PABLITA VELARDE, HELEN HARDIN, MARGARET BAGSHAW: The Three Books

TAGS: Native American Paintings, Santa Clara Pueblo, Tonita Peña, watercolor, Helen Hardin, Jane Baca, Legoria Tafoya, Margarete Bagshaw, Pablita Velarde