Awa Tsireh (Alfonso Roybal) (Po-who-ge-oweenge (San Ildefonso Pueblo), 1895-1955). <em>Dog Dancer</em>, 1930s. Black ink and watercolor over graphite on wove paper, 11 1/8 x 14 1/8 in. (28.3 x 35.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 40.89. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: , CUR.40.89.jpg)

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Awa Tsireh (Alfonso Roybal) (Po-who-ge-oweenge (San Ildefonso Pueblo), 1895-1955). Dog Dancer, 1930s. Black ink and watercolor over graphite on wove paper, 11 1/8 x 14 1/8 in. (28.3 x 35.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 40.89. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: , CUR.40.89.jpg)

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This ledger book drawing is by Tsireh, one of the first pueblo painters to receive recognition by the Santa Fe art community. Here, Awa Tsireh has played with perspective and scale significantly: as kivas are underground, a dancer would be climbing down into or up out of kiva via a small ladder, but here the large ladder seems to be propped against a decorated structure and the direction of travel for the dancer is uncertain.

Dog Dancer

Arts of the Americas

In the first quarter of the twentieth century, a tradition of watercolor easel painting emerged among Pueblo artists in the Southwest. Awa Tsireh from San Ildefonso Pueblo was known for his stylized and abstracted compositions that depict Pueblo dances. These works appealed to the growing local and international markets, accommodating Anglo patrons’ perception of “authentic” Native art. At the same time, however, artists such as Tsireh created their own cultural representations.

MAKER Awa Tsireh (Alfonso Roybal), Po-who-ge-oweenge (San Ildefonso Pueblo), 1895-1955

MEDIUM Black ink and watercolor over graphite on wove paper

Place Made: San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, United States

DATES 1930s

DIMENSIONS 11 1/8 x 14 1/8 in. (28.3 x 35.8 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 40.89

CREDIT LINE Dick S. Ramsay Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Watercolor painting of a Pueblo dancer about to climb a ladder leaning against a kiva. Awa Tsireh is also called Alfonso Roybal.

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Awa Tsireh (Alfonso Roybal) (Po-who-ge-oweenge (San Ildefonso Pueblo), 1895-1955). Dog Dancer, 1930s. Black ink and watercolor over graphite on wove paper, 11 1/8 x 14 1/8 in. (28.3 x 35.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 40.89. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: , CUR.40.89.jpg)

IMAGE overall, CUR.40.89.jpg., 2019

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What is the man doing?