Adobe Gallery Blog
Very Large Black-on-black Plate signed Marie & Santana - C3813
Category: Pottery | Posted by | Mon, Aug 15th 2016, 1:45pm
Maria's husband Julian Martinez was a janitor at the Museum of New Mexico for a dozen or so years early in the museum's history. It was there that Julian most likely saw the Mimbres bowl in the museum's collection that was decorated with eagle feathers. Julian may have been working as a janitor but his mind was working as an artist.
At some time in the 1930s, Julian adapted the Mimbres feather design to fit the plates and shallow bowls that Maria was making. The design became a favorite of his for years. After Julian passed away in 1943, Maria's daughter-in-law took over the task of painting Maria's pottery and Santana also used the Mimbres feather design as shown on this plate.