Young Indian Boy Bronze Sculpture by Glenna Goodacre

Often inspired by scenes and people of her adopted home of Santa Fe, Glenna Goodacre continues to be renowned posthumously for her graceful and inspiring bronze sculptures.

This sculpture of hers features a young Native American boy perched upon a large rock formation looking out in contemplation, presumably at a mesa or mountainous landscape so commonly found in the Santa Fe area. The boy rests his right arm on his knee and has a reflective expression on his face. He has long, flowing hair and wears a headband, as well as a quiver around his back. He has no bow or arrows. On his feet are giant boots which go all the way up near his knees.

One talent that Goodacre was especially recognized for was her high attention to detail. In this piece her sculpting is exceptionally intricate and thoughtful, with characteristics such as the folds in the boy's boots being so carefully implemented. The natural carving of the rock beneath the boy is wonderfully done as well. There is a lot to analyze in this piece, but one last item of note is her precision on the boy's face and head. Small creases on his cheeks and forehead can be seen, and even his eyebrows are distinguished, generating the expression of reflection and longing.

The color of the sculpture is a rich, deep bronze and it sits upon a light brown wooden base. The piece is signed behind the boy's right backside, G Goodacre 15/25.

Glenna Goodacre was a Texas-born sculptor who eventually settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She remains one of the most well-known artists in the world of Western sculpture. Her works appear in public, private, municipal, and museum collections throughout the United States. The Vietnam Women's Memorial, installed in Washington D.C. in 1993, is likely her most famous piece. She was selected to create the monumental Irish Memorial in Philadelphia, which was installed in 2003; a larger than life-size sculpture of Ronald Reagan for the Reagan Library in California; the design of the Sacagawea dollar coin for the U.S. government; and many more monumental and significant works.

Glenna Goodacre (1939-2020) was represented by Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe for over a decade with annual exhibits of her works. A fall at her home in 2007 resulted in a serious brain injury, which put a temporary end to her art career. Goodacre died of natural causes in 2020, leaving behind her an incredible legacy.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Young Indian Boy Bronze Sculpture by Glenna Goodacre is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: Matteucci Masters, Nedra Matteucci Galleries, Santa Fe, Gallery Exhibition November 3 - 25, 2006, Exhibition catalog

TAGS: Santa Fe, New Mexico, bronze sculpture, Glenna Goodacre