Original Painting of the Hunter for the Winter Buffalo Dancers [SOLD]

Tonita Peña was born at San Ildefonso Pueblo, but was sent by her father, following the death of her mother, to live with an aunt at Cochiti Pueblo at the age of 12. She spent the remainder of her life there. She had begun painting when she was seven years old. She was the only woman painter in her generation and was part of the original group who participated in the contemporary watercolor movement.  She is considered a San Ildefonso painter.

This original painting by Tonita Peña (Quah Ah) of San Ildefonso Pueblo was probably painted in the early 1920s, when she was in her early 30s, as determined by the style of the signature. Over her career, Tonita used a variety of signatures on her paintings. A complete description of the signatures and corresponding dates used may be seen in the biographical information provided by clicking on her name link in this paragraph or her signature image here as seen below.

Russell Sanchez from San Ildefonso described this dancer as the Hunter for the Winter Buffalo Dancers.  It is he who leads into the dance plaza the Male and Female Winter Buffalo Dancers of the Turquoise Group.

Condition: appears to be in good condition but has not been examined out of the frame.

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from San Francisco

Recommended Reading: Tonita Peña by Samuel Gray