117

VERSO
Titled

Two Indian Children will be included in the E. I. Couse Catalogue Raisonné.

According to Virginia Couse Leavitt, “Couse’s favorite model, Ben Lujan, from Taos Pueblo, had nine children, many of whom posed for him over the years. Ben’s oldest daughter, Santanita, and oldest son, Eliseo, appear in this painting of two children seated on a river bank in the moonlight. On the left, the two children, illuminated by the moonlight, are set against a dark background of trees. Contrasted to that, on the right is a moonlit view of the distant shore.

“Couse is famous for his tonal paintings such as this, both moonlight or firelight scenes. His lifelong interest in painting the qualities of light goes back to his French period as a student at the Académie Julian and his subsequent years living in the art colony at Étaples. After arriving in Taos in 1902, however, the brilliant light and colors of New Mexico transformed the impressionist palette of his earlier work into the rich palette for which he is best known today.”

PROVENANCE
The artist
Private collection, Florida, 1930
Private collection, by descent
Rob Day, Austin, Texas, 2009

Condition ReportSurface condition is very good. No signs of restoration.

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders; such statements are educated opinions and should not be regarded as facts. The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has no responsibility for any errors or omissions.