54

VERSO
Label, Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Couse historian Virginia Couse Leavitt wrote, “Couse was primarily a figure painter, well trained in the academic tradition at the National Academy of Design in New York and then at the Académie Julian in Paris. Consistently, throughout his career, he was interested in painting the qualities of light, which in his case led to an interest in Tonalism. After arriving in New Mexico, he adapted this style of painting, which relied on a color scheme based on one predominant hue, to his brilliant firelights and moonlights. Tonalism also involved a mood of quietism, which was ideal for Couse’s interest in the spiritual qualities of Native American life.

“Couse models Ben Lujan and his son Eliseo are seen here in the woods crouched beside a campfire. Couse was particularly fond of tonal painting, in which he based his composition either on the cool blues of moonlight or the warm tones of firelight. This painting is a fine example of the latter.”

PROVENANCE
Schultheis’ Galleries, New York, New York, 1910
Howard Young, Missouri
Private collection, Maryland
Ellen Wright, Oklahoma, by descent
Private collection, Colorado
Gerald Peters Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1998
Private collection, New York, New York

EXHIBITED
Milch Galleries, New York, New York, 1910

LITERATURE
Couse Family Archives: Artist’s Sketchbook, p. 16, illustrated

Condition ReportSurface is in excellent condition. Specks of inpainting to right of the Indian; on the Indian’s midsection; and to right of the child.

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.