Description:
Watercolor on paper. Signed l.r.: Tonita Peña, Stamped u.r.: PLANCHE 52.
From: American Indian Painters, Vol. 2, p. 7-8: Tonita Pena (Quah ah) is the grand lady of Pueblo art. She was born in San Ildefonso in 1895. She is now the wife of the governor of Cochiti, Epitacio Arquero, and has been associated with this village since her marriage. She just naturally leaped over age-old tradition that restricted Indian women to painting stylized designs instead of living figures. She began painting at eight, though it was not until 1920 that she sold some watercolors in Santa Fe. She was self-taught. She says, "I have never been outside the Pueblo country, but I learned from the Corn, and Rain, and the Eagle, and the Buffalo." We may add that they taught her well, and that she was an apt pupil. She began her art career with pottery making under the direction of her aunt, Martina Vigil. Tonita found herself a young widow after two years of marriage, just when San Ildefonso was beginning to stir with awakened interest in Pueblo art, under the influence of Crescencio Martinez and the archeological discoveries made on the Pajarito plateau. This was an artistic and economic opportunity for Tonia. She was one of the artists who made copies for the restoration of some of the unearthed frescoes. Later her painting helped her support her children, one of whom is Joe H Herrera (See-Ru) whose artistic talent she has fostered and trained. Tonita says that her favorite subjects are children and animals, but she has painted many other things in her desire, which amounts to a weakness, to suit popular demand and to make sales. Her work is sometimes uneven and shows too much hurry; the legs and arms of her figures are apt to be too long and not always well paired. But, for all that, her work is generally good; there is always freshness and spontaneity in her figures; her colors are convincing and charming. Her paintings have been exhibited in nearly all the United States museums and galleries interested in Indian art, and at the Chicago World's Fair and the Venice International Art Exhibit. "The Cochiti Eagle Dance" is one of her best works. This dance is given by many tribes in many variations. Tonita's version is an accurate, fresh presentation of this ceremony as it is performed by her tribesmen. The eagle still plays an important role in Indian mythology. (Collection, University of Oklahoma) Map references: Cochiti Pueblo (N.M.)