Tesuque Pueblo Male Buffalo Dancer [SOLD]

Tomás Vigil was painting in the early 1920s, a decade that great public interest was created in Indian art.  Many of the residents of Santa Fe became deeply involved with this development; some made speeches, some wrote articles, some encouraged exhibits.  In 1923 a group organized itself as the Indian Arts Fund, with the purpose of preserving Southwest Indian arts, among them paintings.  Needless to say, all of this greatly encouraged and stimulated the young artists.  Clara Lee Tanner, 1957

In general, the works of Tomás Vigil show indistinct outlines.  However, there is much contrast in color value in his paintings.  Some of his figures make up in action for what they lack in detail.  Faces are generally not detailed.  Backgrounds are absent as in most paintings of the period.  It can be said that his was a primitive style, in simple two-dimensional painting as represented in this painting of a male Buffalo Dancer.  This Buffalo Dancer is a very nice example of his work. The figure is actively dancing and the colors are strong and bold. It is one of the finest of his we have seen.

Condition:  minor foxing but otherwise in very good condition

Provenance: from a gentleman from Chicago

Recommended Reading:  Southwest Indian Painting a Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner, 1957