Ascensión Trujillo Original Painting of Buffalo and Cloud Formation [SOLD]

This original painting was made by Ascensión Trujillo of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. It's a unique and attractive piece from an artist whose life and career were, unfortunately, very short. Trujillo's subject here is a buffalo standing beneath a cloud formation. The buffalo is partially obscured by a colorful burst of plant life. Other than these two natural elements, the setting is left to the viewer's imagination.

Trujillo’s buffalo is delightful.  It stands tall and carries a powerful presence, with one visible eye staring intensely toward the viewer from beneath its thick mane.  Its potentially intimidating energy is tempered and beautified by its environment, with winding waves of blues, greens, yellows, and oranges forming tall plants and a bouncing trail of pink and white tones creating soft clouds.  This is fine work from an artist with a keen eye for color.

The painting is signed Ascension Trujillo and dated ’51 in lower right.  It was recently framed under cream-colored matting in a carved wood frame.

Ascensión Trujillo (1933-1959) Poquin Tahn was from San Juan Pueblo. Like most of his contemporaries, he attended the Santa Fe Indian School.  His attendance was after the departure of Dorothy Dunn. He continued his education at the University of New Mexico.

According to Clara Lee Tanner, he "painted rather extensively at the Indian School, featuring native dances. He demonstrated potentials in good and clean outlines, modeling in lines, and in a pleasing handling of color; sometimes he produced a facial type which suggests the work of Tonita Peña.  He exhibited at the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, the Museum of New Mexico, and the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, receiving awards from the latter two. His death at the age of 26 cut short a very promising career.”

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Ascensión Trujillo Original Painting of Buffalo and Cloud Formation is from private collection

Reference: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art Clara Lee Tanner, 1972

Relative Links: Santa Fe, Tonita Peña, Dorothy Dunn, Native American Paintings, Ohkay Owingeh, San Juan Pueblo, Ascensión Trujillo, San Juan Pueblo Painter