Portrait of a Plains Indian #2 [SOLD]

Early in his career Fritz Scholder stated he did not want to be known as an Indian Artist. Yet it was his critical exploration of Native American images and themes that he is best known for. After receiving his MFA at the University of Arizona, Scholder came to New Mexico to teach at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe. His voice as an educator influenced a generation of young Native artists, and his artistic output would eventually become known and celebrated around the world.

This screen print was issued in 1974, ten years after he began teaching at I.A.I.A., to announce an exhibit of Scholder’s works.  The print’s upper left includes this text: “Fritz Scholder Paintings and Lithographs, University of Texas at El Paso, October 30-November 30, 1974, Sponsored by Ed Hill, Art Dealer.”  It was issued in an edition of 100 copies.  This is #57 of 100.

Dominating the composition is a solemn-looking Indian man.  He is broad-shouldered and dressed elaborately, perhaps for some sort of ceremonial purpose.  His face is dark brown, a color that is not used elsewhere in the piece.  Surrounding his brown face is an explosion of bright colors—purples, light and dark blues, yellow, white, pink, and orange—with which Scholder created the man’s clothing and headdress.  Scholder used these bright colors to outline and accent the man’s face,  and added a large area of rich purple to create a dramatic shadow on the man’s face and neck.  Scholder used contrasting colors beautifully with this piece.

This is a very large piece, measuring 30 inches in height and width.  It is signed by the artist in the bottom center and numbered in the lower left.

Provenance: From the large collection of a Santa Fe resident
Condition: original condition