Untitled Painting of a San Juan Pueblo Dancer [SOLD]

Ascensión Trujillo was from San Juan Pueblo (now Ohkay Owingeh). Like most of his contemporaries, he attended the Santa Fe Indian School, however, after the departure of Dorothy Dunn, so his work is not of The Studio style. He continued his education at the University of New Mexico.

Clara Lee Tanner stated that 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.”

There are only two public collections containing his art, which is not surprising since his career was so short.  The Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, are the only two institutions listed as having his paintings.  He apparently had exhibits at the Red Cloud Indian School, Museum of New Mexico, Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos and the Philbrook Art Center in Tulsa, quite an accomplishment for such a young artist.  He received awards from the Museum of New Mexico and the Philbrook.

His death at the age of 26 cut short a very promising career.

Condition: appears to be in original condition and has recently been framed with conservations materials.

Provenance: purchased by a previous owner from Fisher Galleries in Albuquerque and inherited by the daughter of the original owner.