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Native American, Southwest, New Mexico, Navajo, ca. 1960s CE. A beautiful Navajo sandpainting of an elegantly minimalist and geometric design that likely represents sacred mountains where the deities live, comprised of russet red, jet black, golden yellow, and beige sands, and signed with the initials “DYD” just beneath the central diamond-shaped composition. Sandpaintings are also called dry paintings for obvious reasons, and in the Navajo language the word for this genre translates as “places where the gods come and go.” Sandpaintings are used in healing ceremonies in which the chanter selects the painting(s) that will best serve to heal the patient. According to the Navajo belief system, a sandpainting heals because the imagery simultaneously attracts and exalts the sacred Holy People. The painting serves as a pathway or channel for the mutual exchange of illness and the Holy People’s healing power. ( GriffinPierce 1992:43). Custom framed in a wooden Mexican frame and linen mat, with a label on the verso from the Yankee Doodle Dandee company of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Size: 11″ W x 14″ H (27.9 cm x 35.6 cm); framed 17.5″ W x 20.5″ H (44.4 cm x 52.1 cm)
Condition: Sandpainting shows small area of discoloration on lower left. Areas of surface wear and pigment loss to frame with inactive worm holes as shown.
Provenance: Ex-Himrod collection, Santa Monica, CA
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