Lot 2
Fritz William Scholder (American - Mission/Luiseno, 1937-2005). "First Mystery" stone lithograph, edition 26 of 50. Signed and numbered in pencil at bottom. Embossed marks for the printer and print shop at the lower corners. Completed in 1982 at Tamarind Institute. A deliciously mysterious stone lithograph by Fritz Scholder featuring Egyptian imagery and hieroglyphics. Delineated with black and purple inks on grey paper, Scholder rendered a large black rectangular form, suggesting a sarcophagus, with hieroglyphics at the upper end, a shadowed pyramidal form "cut" through the lower end, and vertical lines of vibrant violet running down the sides to provide a brilliant contrast to the otherwise dark image. Scholder once stated the following about color, "One color by itself isn't that interestingit's the second color and a third color, and a dialogue starts and pretty soon you're swept up in it." A wonderful example of Scholder's dreamlike, abstract visions. Size (sheet): 30.25" L x 22" W (76.8 cm x 55.9 cm) Size (matte): 38.25" L x 30" W (97.2 cm x 76.2 cm)
Fritz Scholder created 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 this 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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#173178
- Condition: Signed and numbered in pencil at bottom. Embossed marks for the printer and print shop at the lower corners. A few small (.25 inch) tears to periphery of sheet that do not affect the image. Minor scuffs, stains, and nicks to peripheries of matte.
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