Description:

Fritz William Scholder (American - Mission/Luiseno, 1937-2005). "Bull" lithograph in colors on Guarro paper, 1981. Edition 18 of 120. Signed and numbered in pencil. A striking composition by the legendary Fritz Scholder depicting a bull rendered in black save its white and grey horns. The figure stands in profile against an abstract color-field background with an arch of hot pink and magenta hues crossing the image just below the bull's neckline, a violet band spanning head to torso, expressive drips running from both bands, and gestural marks in black over the grey ground. Scholder was an impressive colorist and once stated the following about color, "One color by itself isn't that interesting—it's the second color and a third color, and a dialogue starts and pretty soon you're swept up in it." Size: 29.75" L x 22" W (75.6 cm x 55.9 cm)

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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#176337

  • Condition: Signed and numbered in pencil. Guarro watermark on lower right corner. Very nice overall.

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January 29, 2023 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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