Description: Up for sale from my personal art collection, is this very rare 14" x 21 1/4"plein air oil study by Joseph Henry Sharp titled "Skinning Hides - Pueblo River" Taos. The painting depicts a group of 10 Native Americans on the banks of the Pueblo River (Rio Pueblo de Taos), skinning animal hides, under two large Cottonwood Trees, probably near the Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. (please see photo attachments) The painting is inscribed on the reverse "Skinning Hides - Pueblo River" Taos, J. H. Sharp. 1913...notations by the artist for a possible future, larger finished painting, that are now very faint from apparent years of handling and the elements. There are also faint number and letter inscriptions on the reverse, which may be the artist's studio inventory numbers. They also match documented Sharp hand written letters and numbers. 1. Stylistic and Subject Matter Analysis: The painting depicts a group of Native Americans under large cottonwood trees, skinning animal hides by a riverbank, which matches the known subjects of Sharp's work, as well as other examples of his oil sketches. Joseph Henry Sharp was a member of the Taos Society of Artists and often portrayed Native American life in Taos, New Mexico. The vivid use of color, the style of brushwork, and the theme of daily life among the Taos Native American communities align with his recognized style. This setting fits the Rio Pueblo de Taos area, near the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, a location Sharp frequently painted, as it was near his studio in Taos. 2. Depiction of Taos Pueblo: The scene depicts Native Americans gathered near a river, beneath two large Cottonwood trees, engaged in the activity of skinning animal hides. This setting is similar to the environment around the Taos Pueblo, which Sharp often painted. He spent a significant portion of his career documenting scenes of Native American life, particularly focusing on the Taos and Crow tribes. The overall composition and subject matter do align with themes typical of Sharp's work during his time in New Mexico. Historically, the Native Americans of the Taos Pueblo engaged in various traditional activities and various aspects of Pueblo life, including hunting and processing animal hides. Riverbanks, such as those along the Rio Pueblo de Taos, would have been practical locations for skinning and processing hides due to the proximity to water, which was necessary for cleaning and preparing the hides. Sharp's paintings from this period frequently depicted scenes of daily activities, cultural practices, and ceremonies of the Native Americans in the Taos area. Joseph Henry Sharp was known for his keen interest in capturing the daily life and traditions of the Native Americans he lived among in Taos, and that he would have observed and painted such scenes like skinning animal hides on location.This painting reflects an accurate portrayal of traditional practices along the riverbanks of the Rio Pueblo de Taos, as these activities were a regular part of the lifestyle in Taos Pueblo during that time. The depiction of Native Americans skinning hides by the Pueblo River reflect Sharp's commitment to capturing the authentic life of the Taos Pueblo people during that time and further emphasize Sharp's connection to the landscape and the people of Taos in 1913. 3. Material and Technique - Compressed Wood Board: The painting is executed on a compressed wood board, a material which was a common material used in the early 20th century that Sharp sometimes used, although he often worked on canvas as well. This type of support is common for plein air sketches or quick studies, especially for an artist working in changing outdoor conditions. Sharp often painted en plein air (outdoors), and the choice of a portable compressed wood board fits this practice. 4. Signature and Inscription: The back of the painting contains handwritten inscriptions. These match the known handwriting and style of Joseph Henry Sharp's inscriptions, including his signature and the date and support the attribution to him. The title "Skinning Hides - Pueblo River Taos" and the location "Taos" match his interest and location of work. 5. Provenance and Dating: The date "1913" corresponds to a period when Sharp was active in Taos. During this time, he was deeply involved with documenting Native American life, particularly around the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. 6. Condition: There is minor wear and some chips on various locations of the painting wood compressed board's edge from decades of handling. There are areas of minor dirt and other foreign material on the surface of the painting that will require a professional art conservator to address, with no apparent varnish on the paining surface. Interestingly, there is an approximately 5 inch strand on hair embedded in the oil painting below the two Cottonwood Tree trunks. Could this hair be from Joseph Henry Sharp? Only DNA testing will confirm this tantalizing hypothesis. 7. Painting Frame: The frame is a gilded, Taos style, heavy solid wood period frame that most likely dates to the 1910 - 1920 period, is excellent condition for it's age and may be original to this painting. 8. Painting Image: I have had this painting professionally photographed, so the color, clarity and details of this painting and frame are true to life and there has been no color or contrast manipulation...other than the last two back wood board inscription images, so you can view Sharp's writing much better for a remote inspection. Provenance: Artist Palm Beach, Florida private collection, acquired from artist? Kodner Galleries Inc. Dania Beach, Florida, acquired from above Private Collection, Cathedral City, California, acquired from above Provenance Notes: Joseph Henry Sharp did visit Florida, although his trips to Florida are less well-documented compared to his time in the American West. Sharp visited Florida during the winter months, especially in the early 20th century. Specific dates of his travels to Florida are not commonly mentioned in many biographies of Sharp, as his work in New Mexico and Montana tends to overshadow these lesser-known journeys. It is known that during his trips to Florida, he painted landscapes featuring Florida's tropical environment, including swamps, palm trees, and other flora. His travels to Florida were likely part of his broader explorations of different regions of the U.S., where he sought inspiration from the unique landscapes and cultures of each area. For exact years or detailed records of his time in Florida, consulting archival records or more specific exhibitions or catalogs featuring Sharp's Florida works might provide clearer information. However, the general understanding is that these trips by Joseph Henry Sharp took place in the early 1900s. That said, from my research, Sharp took this painting "Skinning Hides - Pueblo River" with him, after it was painted in 1913, as a gift to a friend or family member he visited on one of his winter trips to Florida after 1913. This painting remained in the family's Palm Beach estate, since Sharp gave it to the original owner in the early part of the 20th Century. It wasn't until the passing of a family member that owned this Sharp painting around 2019, that their family heirs sold it through Kodner Galleries, Dania Beach, Florida. Kodner Galleries does have the name of the sellers and the previous owner of this Sharp painting from the Palm Beach estate, but they would not release the names. Painting details: Artist: Joseph Henry SharpTitle: Skinning Hides - Pueblo River, TaosMedium: oil on compressed wood boardDimensions: 14" x 21 1/4"Year: 1913 I can email you more detailed images of this painting if needed as well. Free shipping, full insurance coverage and signature confirmation will be included with the purchase of this Joseph Henry Sharp painting. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have on this early, rare, Native American oil study by Joseph Henry Sharp that will highlight any western art collection and thanks for your interest.
Price: 95000 USD
Location: Cathedral City, California
End Time: 2024-11-11T01:47:06.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Unit of Sale: Single Piece
Artist: Joseph Henry Sharp
Signed By: Joseph Henry Sharp
Size: Medium
Date of Creation: 1913
Framing: Framed
Region of Origin: Taos, New Mexico
Personalize: Yes
Listed By: Seller
Year of Production: 1913
Unit Type: lb
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 14 in
Style: Desert Art, Figurative Art, Impressionism, Native American
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Handmade: Yes
Item Width: 21 in
Culture: Taos
Time Period Produced: 1900-1924
Signed: Yes
Period: Early 20th Century (1900-1920)
Title: Skinning Hides - Pueblo River Taos
Material: Compressed Wood Board, Oil paint
Subject: Figures, Forest, Hunting, Landscape, Men, National Parks, USA, Working Life, Food & Wine
Signed?: Signed
Type: Oil on compressed wood board
Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Animals, Art, Cities & Towns, Continents & Countries, Cultures & Ethnicities, Domestic & Family Life, Famous Places, Food & Drink, History, Natural History, Nature, People, Travel & Transportation, Western
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Production Technique: Oil Painting
