Original Painting titled “Wild Ducks” by Quincy Tahoma [SOLD]

“Wild Ducks” is an original painting by Quincy Tahoma, a notable Diné of the Navajo Nation artist. It is not often that Tahoma’s works become available to us, but we’re always pleased when they do. His paintings are vibrant and full of energy, depicting Navajo Nation life in rich color and incredible detail. “Wild Ducks” is a well-executed example of Tahoma focusing his attention on a serene, beautiful scene.

From the comfort of a bright green patch of tall grasses, the viewer gazes out across a small pond. Two ducks swim together through light blue water, with hazy reflections appearing down below. Up above, another pair appears, soaring through the sky with wings spread wide. This is where the viewer can see Tahoma’s considerable technical abilities displayed most clearly—the creatures are incredibly rich in detail and color, with careful shading and fine linework creating their feathered forms. In the background, Tahoma nodded to Diné traditionalists by including a stylized distant bird. Clouds in soft pastel tones appear, also referencing earlier works, but Tahoma modified and personalized these traditional designs by adding depth and texture. This Quincy Tahoma piece excels in beauty, character, and rarity.

The painting is signed Tahoma and dated “‘51” in lower right. Something unique that artist did often is located just above his signature:  a miniature image that we call a cartouche shows what happens next—the ducks flying again, but in front of a bright moon. The painting is framed beautifully in a carved frame, under glass and an off-white backing. A window on the back reveals text handwritten on verso: “‘Wild Ducks’, by Tahoma, Price $30.00”

Quincy Tahoma (1917-1956) Water Edge (Near Water) was a highly skilled, influential Diné painter who lived a short life but made a significant impression in the world of Native art.  Dorothy Dunn praised his talents in her book American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas:  “Tohoma’s [sic] style changed from serenity to one expressive of near violence—from quiet, pastoral scenes and orderly ceremonial patterns to highly agitated portrayals of animals, hunts, and battles that glorified struggle and cruelty.  Yet it is the latter work for which he is most recognized, and which extends his natural powers of draftsmanship and imagination. Through his individual studies of foreshortening and anatomy, Tohoma [sic] won for his pictures high praise from academically trained artists of note, and the admiring response of the public.  Whatever one may think of these later paintings as Indian art, he must recognize the command of techniques and devices of the artist’s own making which convey the opposition and impact of brutal contests in all sorts of situations on the hunting ranges of the old days.” Tahoma passed away in 1956, at just 39 years of age.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Original Painting titled "Wild Ducks" by QuincyTahoma is from a private collection

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

Relative Links: Navajo, Native American Paintings, Quincy Tahoma, Navajo Painter