92

VERSO
Signed, titled, and dated

Pueblo Firelight – Roasting Corn is included in the Eanger Irving Couse Catalogue Raisonné as number 2574. The work is housed in its original handmade frame crafted by the artist in his workshop at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site. We would like to thank the Couse Foundation for their assistance in cataloging this work.

Couse historian Virginia Couse Leavitt observed in reference to a similar painting: “This is a classic Couse firelight painting, a genre for which Couse was famous. Here, Ben Lujan, his favorite model from Taos Pueblo, is seen crouched before a fireplace where he is roasting ears of corn.… The contemplative attitude of the Indian as he goes about his work enhances his spiritual awareness of the significance of corn in Indian life where corn is both a staple food but also an important ceremonial object. Ceremonially, sprinklings of corn pollen or corn meal are used as spiritual offerings, or are applied to the body for ritual adornment.”

PROVENACE
Private collection, Portland, Oregon, ca. 1980s

Additional Resources

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Condition ReportSurface condition excellent. Speck of inpainting upper left and spot of inpainting lower left, near edge of frame.

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders and reflect educated opinions, not facts. All painting frames are sold “as is.” The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions.