Indian by Firelight

Additional Information

Provenance:
Private collection Massachusetts

When Joseph Henry Sharp settled in Taos, New Mexico, his first studio was the Luna Chapel in 1908. The small Spanish adobe building, originally built in 1835, was renamed the Studio of the Copper Bell and was used for six years before the artist needed room to expand. Sharp eventually moved into his second studio, completed in 1915, that allowed for more space and storage. The star of the new studio, though, was a small round window with a square frame, and below it a kiva fireplace. The window and the fireplace have appeared in dozens of Sharp paintings, many showing figures standing at the window lit by brilliant afternoon light or, as is the case with Indian Sitting by Fireside, figures kneeling near the crackling fire as it casts orange light into the room. Today, both the Luna Chapel and Sharp’s second studio are part of the Couse-Sharp Historic Site in Taos.

Like his neighbor and friend Eanger Irving Couse, Joseph Henry Sharp focused a great deal of attention on interior scenes of Taos people examining objects or gazing into the fire. But Sharp was also fond of exploring the region to find new outdoor subjects. In addition to his work in Taos, Sharp also spent time on the Crow Reservation in Montana, where he had a studio built by President Teddy Roosevelt’s Indian Commission. Summers in Montana beginning in 1901 yielded a stunning collection of more than 200 Native American portraits, many of them in museum collections today.

CONTACT US

Email: info@scottsdaleartauction.com
Phone: (480) 945-0225

DISCLAIMER

Please note that the first unframed photo is most accurate for color. Framed photographs are to show the frame and are not color corrected to the painting.

*The Condition Reports are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Scottsdale Art Auction. Scottsdale Art Auction strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. All lots offered are sold “AS IS”. Please refer to item two in our terms and conditions for further information.