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According to Couse historian, Virginia Couse Leavitt, “The importance of water to Native Americans is clearly evident in this image of Jerry Mirabal crouched in prayerful contemplation at the edge of a forest pool. The artist imbues the image with a deeply spiritual quality. On the left, warm sunlight bathes the back of the Indian, while a deep blue pool is set in a shaded glen on the right. The effect of this tonal counterbalance focuses attention on the subject of the Indian’s meditation.

“Over the years Couse painted several pictures based on the subject of prayers to the water spirits indicating that he recognized the importance of this subject to Native Americans.

“This picture was painted in the summer of 1913 and was sold to C. B. Judd of Grand Rapids in January of 1914. Typically Couse painted a small oil study for most of his larger paintings. His sales record shows that his 8 x 10 study for Spirit of the Pool was sold in March of 1918.”

PROVENANCE
The Artist
C. B. Judd, Grand Rapids, MI 1914
Present owner, by descent

Condition ReportSurface condition is good. Bar marks in lower-right corner. Several hairline cracks in right-center portion. Several specks of inpainting on Indian’s leg.

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.