201

Elk Foot is the Indian depicted in The Medicine Necklace. According to Forrest Fenn, “Sharp’s favorite model and close friend was Jerry (Elk Foot) Mirabal. Upon his death at Taos Pueblo in 1980 at the age of 110, the Indians went into mourning and the pueblo was closed to all outsiders for three days.

“Many of the Indians loved Sharp dearly, almost always preferring to pose for him rather than the other artists, and they were greatly amused by one of his habits. When working on a painting, Sharp would dab some paint on the canvas, then dance or hop backwards six or eight feet to view the result. The Indians who often gathered in the studio thought this was very funny and would laugh and mimic him behind his back. Their actions weren’t disrespectful, though; they were instead a sign of acceptance and regard for the artist.”

Sharp wrote, “Now that I have more time, I shall devote much of it to compositions & pictures of the poetry & legends as well as the home life of the Indians at present. There is a vast field & beautiful subjects for fine pictures as well as of historical & ethnological value. Of course, I will make portraits of the most important living men the principal aim. The other is important too, & the material I gather for such pictures will come in fine by and by when I am done with the old fighters, or when they are no more.”

Condition ReportSurface condition is excellent. Canvas has been lined. Stretcher bar marks on top and bottom. Various spots of inpainting throughout.

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.