Oh, how I love this drawing! Technically a watercolor painting I suppose, but with pencil-drawn details, most notably for the face, hands and hair of the Native American woman at the center, which give it such a marvelous intimacy and specificity that its nature as a drawing is most certainly the dominant one. As with ledger drawings, which this is very similar to in manner, included is just exactly what is needed and not a thing more to bring this woman, this landscape and her uphill path through it to vivid life. Best of all this marvelous bright yellow papoose, with, I believe, a tiny baby's head poking out at top!
Late 19th century, from a Denver collection of 19th and early 20th century Native American art and objects. It is an old gold painted frame, from the same period I believe, with some dings and paint loss, but I personally would not touch it! There is a tear in the drawing below the dog, but as framed it does not jump out much. There is some reflection in some of the photos, which were shot through the glass. The color on this is still bright and really terrific. Wired on the back for hanging. It measures 11 5/16" wide x 8 1/2" tall x 7/8" deep, framed. Visible image size: 8 3/4" x 6".