Adobe Gallery Blog
Painting of Mythological Avanyu and a Pair of Skunks by Julián Martinez - C3808B
Category: Paintings | Posted by | Thu, Aug 11th 2016, 1:49pm
Several of the early San Ildefonso Pueblo artists often painted wildlife and barnyard animals. Skunks seem to have been a favorite. It is a matter of conjecture as to whether Julian Martinez or Awa Tsireh is responsible for the advent of the skunk in Pueblo painting, but Julian used this highly decorative animal most delightfully in many compositions, thereby establishing it as a fully respectable subject in Pueblo art. The mythological Avanyu (water serpent) is another image favored by San Ildefonso and Santa Clara artists. Julian used it many times on black pottery.