Lot 235
Fritz William Scholder (American - Mission/Luiseno, 1937-2005). "White Wolf in the Snow" oil pastel drawing, 1998. Year written in pencil above image. Inscription and signature written in pencil below. A wonderful oil pastel drawing of a white wolf by Fritz Scholder, created as a birthday gift for the late Bill Bishop, a notable art dealer and antiquarian. Scholder had a wonderful way of creating captivating images of his subjects that while relatively minimalist in manner still manage to convey great meaning and character. Figuring prominently in Native American mythology, wolves are regarded as medicine beings and are associated with hunting, strength, courage, and loyalty. A wonderful drawing, replete with impressive artistry and layers of symbolic meaning, set in a custom frame under glass. Size: 16.25" L x 11.5" W (41.3 cm x 29.2 cm) Size of frame: 25.5" L x 21.125" W (64.8 cm x 53.7 cm)
More on the symbolism of wolves: The Pueblo peoples link wolves to the six directional guardians, and Zuni artisans create stone wolf fetishes for protection, believing that they provide healing and hunting powers. What's more, many Northwest Coast tribes honor wolves in their creation stories; the Kwakiutl, for example, believe their first ancestors were transformed from wolves into men.
Fritz Scholder is best known for creating powerful depictions of Native Americans that depart from stereotypes. Interestingly, although Scholder was enrolled as a member of the Luiseno tribe, he oftentimes claimed that he was not actually Indian. Nevertheless, his art demonstrated a refreshing rejection of sentimental, romantic portrayals of indigenous peoples. In his words, "I have painted the Indian real, not red." He based his imagery on actual historical research. For example, Scholder revealed that his painting of a Native American wrapped in an American flag, an image that has become iconic, was based on "19th-century prison photographs of Indians dressed in surplus flags in lieu of their confiscated tribal regalia." In addition to the meaningful political messages of his art, Scholder's style, with its kinetic brushwork and vibrant colors, have truly set him apart. Various art historians have described Scholder's style as a fusion of Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism. Scholder, however, referred to himself an "American expressionist" who celebrated paint and what it can do. In his words, "Paint drips, it smears. It's not because I'm trying to fool anyone into thinking this is a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface ..."
Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010
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#174461
- Condition: Drawing is set in a custom frame under glass. While not examined outside the frame, the artwork and inscription are vivid. A few scuffs to frame, otherwise frame is very nice and fit with a suspension wire. "Fritz Scholder White Wolf in the Snow Birthday Gift" handwritten on verso. The word "White" is a bit rubbed out, but one can still make out the word. After Scholder's name, one can also see "o .al" with the letters between obscured - perhaps this once read as "original".
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