Description:
Watercolor on paper. Signed l.r.: Thomas Vigil Tesuque, Stamped u.r.: PLANCHE 62.
From: American Indian Painters, Vol. 2, p. 10: Thomas Vigil, the elder, is a native of the little pueblo of Tesuque, near Santa Fe, where he was born in 1889. He was educated at the St. Catherine Sisters' School. Like many of the older generation of Indian artist, he had no instruction in art, being entirely self-taught. The Museum in Santa Fe early acquired some of his work for its permanent collection. At the present time, he does not practice the profession of art, being occupied with farming and other chores necessary for a living. His son, Tim, is now following his father's footsteps and producing watercolors in large dimensions. This painting of the traditional Buffalo Dance of the Rio Grande Pueblo people is included in this work because it marks an epoch in the development of Indian painting. Technically it is about on a part with the work of the early artists like Crescencio Martinez. These paintings' chief interest lies in their absolute sincerity. They are without pretense and as uninhibited as the work of school children. They are also sincere efforts to accurately portray religious observances. It is not an art for art's sake, but painting for a purpose. And this purpose is not so unlike that of the Christian monks of the eleventh century when "illuminating" their manuscripts. (Collection, University of Oklahoma) Map references: Tesuque Pueblo (N.M.)