Painting by Robert Chee of a Curious Fawn and Bee Hive [SOLD]

Clara Lee Tanner, in her book Southwest Indian Painting: a changing art, compares Robert Chee to Harrison Begay in his strong ability to handle a great many colors and his tendency to stress the "intensity of tone in small areas." Chee, especially later in his very short life, could also be compared stylistically to Beatien Yazz.  Chee passed away at the age of 34.  Had he not passed away so soon, would we have seen many more spectacular paintings by him?

The curious fawn is the focus of this painting but the beehive certainly adds the excitement.  The tree has a definite Asian style and this is seen in many paintings by Navajo artists.  Andy Tsihnahjinnie painted trees in an Asian style and so did Quincy Tahoma.  Some of the Native artists were exposed to Asian art during deployment to the Pacific in World War II and that is a likely source for their styles.

The painting is signed in lower right R. Chee.  It is a companion to our item number C3690B. 

Condition: appears to be in original condition

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery

Provenance: from a member of the Balcomb family who owned art galleries, the last of which was closed in 1976.