Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0370-1236   CAS 0370-1236; Painting
Category Visual Arts
Object Name Painting
Culture Santa Clara Pueblo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County Rio Arriba
Other Geographic Data Santa Clara Pueblo
Maker's Name Pablita Velarde (Tse Tsan) (1918-2006)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1958-1965
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Earth pigments; Glue; Masonite
Description Earth pigment painting entitled "Bird", depicting single image of roadrunner (?) in black and white pigments on light brown background: geometric and floral motifs fill lower portion of painting in black and rust brown pigments against cream-colored background; Large geometric design fills upper portion of painting in black, rust brown, and cream-colored pigments; Signature "Pablita Velarde" is printed in black pigments in lower right corner. This painting was selected by Ruth and Charles deYoung Elkus in 1957 as their annual holiday card, printed by the Grabhorn Press in San Francisco. Pablita Velarde is the mother of Helen Hardin, whose early paintings are represented in the CAS painting collection, and the sister of Legoria Tafoya, whose pottery is represented in the CAS pottery collection.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 30.5, Length = 60.4