Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1130   CAS 0370-1130; Painting
Category Visual Arts
Object Name Painting
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County Santa Fe
Other Geographic Data City: Santa Fe
Maker's Name Keats Begay (1922-1987)
Date of Manufacture 1936
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Opaque watercolor on paper
Description Painting on heavy white paper entitled "Navajo Sandpainting", depicting stylized rendition of Navajo ceremonial sand painting used in both the nightway and featherway chants; Pair of crossed logs each holds pair of Yei (deity) figures at each end with four sacred plants (corn, beans, squash, tobacco); Painting is flanked by two figures of B'ganaskiddy (also known as Hump-backed Yei or God of Plenty) shown here as a guardian figure; Signature "K. Begay 36" is printed in red and blue paint near lower right corner; Handwritten in pencil on reverse is "Navajo Sandpaint by Keats Begay"; "The Studio, U.S. Indian School, Santa Fe, New Mexico" is stamped on reverse.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 55.3, Length = 39.9