Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1031   CAS 0370-1031; Painting
Category Visual Arts
Object Name Painting
Culture Cochiti Pueblo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County Sandoval
Other Geographic Data Cochiti Pueblo
Maker's Name Theodore Suina (Ku-Pe-Ru) (b. 1918)
Date of Manufacture 1960
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Opaque watercolor (poss. casein) on paper
Description Painting on mulberry paper (?) entitled "The Road-Runner" depicting highly stylized image of roadrunner painted in elaborate geometric patterns in colors of blue, gray, white, and several shades of brown; Bird is shown in right profile running up low hill with 3 yucca plants along the horizon line; Signature "Ku Pe Ru '60" is painted in gray paint in lower right corner; "Roadrunner, by Theodore Suina, Cochiti, N. Mex" is printed in pencil in lower left corner on reverse; Reverse side of support paper is painted (possibly by manufacturer rather than by artist) with all over pattern of gold cross-like motif. This painting was selected by Ruth Elkus in 1963 as her annual holiday card, printed by the Grabhorn Press in San Francisco.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 37.0, Length = 28.1