Lot 167F
Fritz William Scholder (American - Mission/Luiseno, 1937-2005). "An American Indian in Paris" poster. Printed by Mourlot in Paris, France. Hand signed and dated in ink "Fritz Scholder 2-25-77" below the artist's name printed in bold red letters. A hand-signed poster featuring Fritz Scholder's "An American Indian in Paris". The composition features a Native American man donning traditional regalia, directly facing the viewer and standing proudly before a broad expanse with the Eiffel Tower rising from the horizon line and mirroring the verticality of the Native American. While Scholder's signature expressive style and vibrant color palette are expected, his composition is surprising and prompts the viewer to muse on its transnational theme. Size (image): 21.5" L x 15.375" W (54.6 cm x 39.1 cm) Size (sight view with margins): 30.25" L x 21.5" W (76.8 cm x 54.6 cm) Size (frame): 30.75" L x 22.25" W (78.1 cm x 56.5 cm)
According to Adobe Gallery, "An American Indian in Paris' was completed in 1976long after Fritz Scholder's experimentation with, and eventual mastery of lithography, but before his work took a dark and dramatic thematic turn. This image is bright, accessible, and appealing, but also complex and deep. While Adobe Gallery does not usually pick favorites, we would not hesitate to describe 'An American Indian in Paris' as one of Fritz Scholders strongest lithographs."
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 California Mission tribe, he oftentimes claimed that he was not actually Indian, as by birth he was one quarter Luiseno Indian. Nevertheless, much of his oeuvre was centered upon Native American themes and 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, 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: private Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004
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#181011
- Condition: Hand signed and dated in ink "Fritz Scholder 2-25-77" below the artist's name printed in bold red letters. The poster is mounted behind glass in a metal frame and has not been examined outside the frame. The imagery is strong, and the colors are vibrant. The artist's signature and date are slightly faded but still legible. "Mourlot" is indicated at the bottom.
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