Pueblo Single Eagle Dancer Painting [R]

José Angela Aguilar, sometimes known as Joe Aguilar, was the son of Susana Aguilar—a well-known potter—and is known to have painted pottery for his mom.  He was the husband of Rosalie Simbola Aguilar, originally from Picuris Pueblo and also a potter, for whom he also painted pottery.  He was an exceptional painter.  Kenneth Chapman included him on a list of fifteen men who painted pottery at San Ildefonso before 1940.  His son, Alfred Aguilar, said that his father formed pots, as well as painting them.

There is no mention of him in either Clara Lee Tanner's book or in Dorothy Dunn's book as a painter of paintings; however, there are other references that indicate he was.  Snodgrass, in her book, stated "The artist has been actively engaged in art and related subjects since 1944.  In 1949, he began painting experiments in new directions."  His new direction was the influence of another painter, Joe Herrera, son of Tonita Peña.  Seymour stated that in 1987, Aguilar was working in the California aerospace industry doing technical drawings and only an occasional painting for friends.

This painting of a San Ildefonso Eagle Dancer is quite possibly an early one by the artist. It is signed Joe A. Aguilar but there is no date.  The painting is single matted with acid-free materials and framed in a period wood frame.

Condition: appears to be in good condition but has not been examined out of the frame

References:

Tanner, Clara Lee. Southwest Indian Painting, a Changing Art, 1957.

Dunn, Dorothy.  American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas, 1968.

Stewart, Kathryn. Portfolio II Eleven American Indian Artists, 1988.

Seymour, Tryntje Van Ness. When the Rainbow Touches Down, 1988

Snodgrass, Jeanne O. American Indian Painters: A Biographical Directory, 1968.

Provenance: from a gentleman in Florida