Original Painting of Pueblo Deer Dancer by Tse Ye Mu [SOLD]

This painting of a pueblo dancer was created by Tse Ye Mu, an early San Ildefonso Pueblo artist. It’s a fine example of the traditional painting style practiced first at San Ildefonso and later at the Santa Fe Indian School. Tse Ye Mu selected a deer dancer as his subject, creating a depiction that is lively, detailed, and colorful.

In her book American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas, Dorothy Dunn compared Tse Ye Mu’s work to that of his peer Julian Martinez: “Julian promoted a San Ildefonso Deer Dance style in which the dancers are shown in a forward-bending attitude, usually with one foot swinging out backward. The figures are drawn in an extremely sure, incisive manner, the snow-white shirts outlined with such fine, unwavering brushlines as appear to have been done with a silver stylus. Deer, antelope, and mountain sheep are thus represented singly or in the entire hunting ceremonial. Tse Ye Mu is one of the main exponents of this style, adapting it in a bolder, more massive manner than Julian’s. The style has had many interpreters in the Pueblo area in the past forty-five years.” [Dunn, 1968:111]

The painting is signed Romando Vigil, Tse Ye Mu in lower right. It is framed using archival materials in a carved wood frame.

Romando Vigil (1902-1978) Tse Ye Mu - Falling Cloud was one of the San Ildefonso self-taught artists in the early part of the 20th century, which places him among the group that is recognized as the earliest known pueblo painters. He was the father of Albert Vigil and cousin of Tonita Peña. Vigil’s works have been published in many major texts related to Native painting. He exhibited widely during his career, and his works have been placed in many prominent collections. Vigil passed away in 1978.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Original Painting of Pueblo Deer Dancer by Tse Ye Mu is from a private collection

References: 

- The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters, Patrick D. Lester

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

Relative Links: Native American Painting, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Santa Fe, Carmelita Dunlap, Maria Martinez, Romando Vigil (1902-1978) Tse Ye Mu