Adobe Gallery Blog

Quincy Tahoma displayed a wide variety of styles in his paintings. He had a "quiet" period, a "peaceful" period and a "violent period." His quiet and peaceful periods were early and late in his career, with his violent period predominating for most of his art life.

Tahoma painted the proud Diné in everyday life on the reservation where he had grown up to the time of leaving for the Santa Fe Indian School at about age 12 or 13. When World War II broke out, he attempted to join the military service to serve with his many Native American friends who had joined, but a childhood accident which left his left arm deformed prevented his acceptance. He spent the war years in Santa Fe.

Painting buffalo hunts was a favorite Tahoma theme or perhaps it was a favorite of his clients because he made several such scenes although each was different. In this one, the bison is attacking the horse in an attempt to dismount the rider. It does not appear that the Indian has scored a hit on the bison with an arrow. There are several dozen bison in the far distance. The rider has singled out one from the herd.

Tahoma has provided a beautiful dramatic cloud in center background. It is obliterating the sun from view and the cloud appears so powerful and, yet, beautiful. The artist's choice of colors for the cloud is an indication of true artistic talent.

Condition: appears to be in original condition
Provenance: from a lady in Santa Fe
Recommended Reading: Quincy Tahoma the Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist by Charnell Havens and Vera Marie Badertscher

Subject: Diné (Navajo) Painting of a Buffalo Hunt
Artist: Quincy Tahoma 1917-1956 Water Edge
Category: Paintings
Origin: Diné - Navajo Nation
Medium: gouache
Size: 12-1/2" x 20-3/4" image; 20-1/2" x 28-5/8" framed
Item # C3258