Painting of a Pueblo Man Riding a Horse by Alfonso Roybal - Awa Tsireh [R]

Awa Tsireh was early recognized beyond his native world as an outstanding Indian artist. His watercolors were sent by Alice Corbin Henderson to the Arts Club of Chicago for a special exhibit in 1920. His paintings appeared in early exhibits in Santa Fe, and he was among the several artists to receive prizes at the first Santa Fe Indian Market. In 1925, the Chicago papers were generous in their acclaim for his exhibit in the Newberry Library. The Exposition of Indian Tribal Arts in New York in 1931 included Awa Tsireh paintings.

This painting is true to style of this early period of pueblo paintings. There is no ground plane, not even a blade of grass, no background of any kind and no sky. All there is for the viewer is the finely detailed pueblo man riding his horse. Take note of the fine detail of the rider's clothing and the blanket roll behind him. Awa Tsireh was keenly aware of providing the utmost detail to his paintings.

The painting is signed Awa Tsireh in lower right. It is not dated.

Condition: The painting appears to be in original excellent condition with the exception of a crease in the paper to the right of the horse's tail and out of the painting image itself.

Provenance: ex. coll. Arizona fine art collector

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting by Clara Lee Tanner