Santiago, the War Chief
Artist
Oscar E. Berninghaus
(1874-1952)
Datec.1930
Place MadeTaos, NM, USA
MediumOil painting
DimensionsOverall: 30 x 34 1/16 in. (76.2 x 86.5 cm)
Classificationspainting
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Oscar E. Berninghaus
Object number1980.0220.0000
DescriptionSantiago the war chief stands in the right half of the painting facing a wooden post that splits the composition into two uneven halves, The right half contains only Santiago painted realistically with tight brushwork, wrapped in a native covering and looking off into the distance to the left of the canvas. He leans on a wooden walking stick, seeming to be at peace. The right side of the canvas to the wooden post shows two more Indians, one on a horse with their back to you and the other figure facing you but the details are lost. The focus remains on Santiago, painted with great detail. The background is composed of impressionistic brushwork, creating the forms of hills and mountains in the distance through simplified brushwork and blocks of color. - Maranda NiemanOn View
Not on view
