Guide to Ourselves and Taos Neighbors

Artist Ernest Leonard Blumenschein (American, 1874 - 1960)

Date1957

Mediumpen and ink on paper

Dimensions8 x 10 3/4 inches (20.3 x 27.3 cm)
Frame: 18 1/4 × 13 × 1/2 inches (46.4 × 33 × 1.3 cm)

Credit LinePartial Bequest of H.J. Lutcher Stark, 1965 and Partial Gift of Nelda C. Stark, 1973

Object number31.30.12.B

ClassificationsPaper

DescriptionGuide is two pieces of paper and contains details about the history of the Society of Taos Artists and the artists detailed, as well as a key identifying each artist in the associated painting.

Label TextBlumenschein knew that viewers of his painting would want to identify the people in the portraits. He handwrote these two guides. One sheet gives a written description with some history of the Taos art colony. The second sheet is a graphic “key” identifying the figures. “Blumy” recommended hanging the guides by the painting, just as they were. He did not want the guides printed. He wrote, “This sloppy writing rather adds to the intimacy and charm of my picture.” What more would we like to know about the people in his Taos circle?

ProvenanceArtist; purchased November 1, 1957 by H.J. Lutcher Stark [1887-1965]; ½ interest bequeathed September 2, 1965 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation [1]; remaining ½ interest gifted June 15, 1973 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation by Nelda C. Stark [1909-1999]; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art | 1. Owned jointly by H.J. Lutcher Stark and Nelda C. Stark until his death at which point his ½ interest was bequeathed to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation.

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