Early Santa Fe & Taos artists
Looking for some of the best buys in the Gallery? Take a peek in the glass cases at the eclectic collection inside. Whether you’re holiday shopping or just love art, jewelry, and antiques, here are 16 treasures you won’t want to miss.
Read MoreWhether you’re a budding collector hunting for original historic pieces, an established connoisseur seeking unique finds, or simply a fine art lover, these 18 works are some of the best buys in the Gallery.
Read MoreFrom a blooming garden in Taos to rolling waves in Hawaii, enjoy these works at the Gallery that capture the essence of the glorious dog days of summer.
Read MoreIn advance of his upcoming exhibition, we spoke with acclaimed painter Chris Morel, who graciously gives us insights into his creative process, early years, and the philosophies that have driven his successful career.
Read MoreWe recently sat down with acclaimed sculptor, Ed Smida, whose work will be featured in the upcoming two-man exhibition, A Lifetime of Learning: Two Artistic Journeys. In this interview, the artist gives us a glimpse into his process, inspirations, and more.
Read MorePeer into the marvelous and mysterious world of transcendental art, an art movement formed in New Mexico in the late 1930s.
Read MoreFrom lithography and etching to drypoint and woodblock, learn how fine art prints are made, see available pieces at the Gallery, and get a brief overview of the technique and artistry that go into the various printmaking processes.
Read MoreGet lost in these selected works that show romance through artistry, beauty, and charm. There just might be a few you’ll be pining for.
Read MoreLearn some of the stories and secrets behind one of Santa Fe’s most illustrious and intriguing art galleries. Meet the owners and see how they turned a gallery into a true Southwestern landmark for buying and selling fine art.
Read MoreFinding the right present for the people on your list is easier than ever this year with Nedra Matteucci Galleries’ curated gift guide. In it you’ll see selected small works and one-of-a-kind pieces to fit a range of budgets all available in our online store.
Read MoreWe recently sat down with multimedia artist and sculptor JK Inson. He graciously gives us background into his life and decades of creating so we can appreciate his pieces in a deeper way.
Read MoreOne thing the Gallery is known for is its vast collection of bronzes, which includes works of all sizes and styles. What these sculptures all have in common, however, is a single, frequently-asked question: “How are bronzes made?”
Read MoreThe air is getting crisp and the leaves are changing color – sure signs that autumn is on its way. Get excited with us for all things fall with these stunning pieces available at the Gallery, which truly convey the colors and coziness of the season.
Read MoreAfter a life-changing injury that stole his sight, a young artist still dreamt of being a sculptor. What happened next is a testament to the creativity and tenacity of the human spirit. This is Michael Naranjo’s story.
Read MoreLearn more about the art of portraiture, some of the masterful artists at the Gallery, and see which piece connects with you in this week’s blog.
Read MoreInfluenced by the stories and folktales from his Native culture, Doug Hyde is a master sculptor who uses the imagery of his upbringing to shape his influential sculptures.
Read MoreBoth delicate and enduring, works on paper have an undeniably special quality. They also span a variety of media from gouache and charcoal to lithographs and etchings. These different techniques and styles can be seen in the following eleven works, which represent just a small sample of the art on paper available at the Gallery.
Read MoreThe Gallery is home to works by artists from diverse backgrounds, from early Taos painters and Native potters to figurative sculptors and artists of the Transcendental Movement. Just to name a few. Today we’re highlighting a few of the preeminent female master artists in the Gallery and their contributions to the art world.
Mardie Rees is a prominent figure in the world of sculpture. At just 43, she has one of her pieces permanently on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA. Her works are quickly recognizable for their emotion and texture, and feature everything from moments in motherhood to military scenes. This fanciful piece shows two real-life sisters, Charlotte and Vivian, capturing crickets and is inspired by the short story, “The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket” by Yasunari Kawabata.
Born in the UK, Dorothy Brett was schooled alongside many famed intellectuals and artists of the day. When renowned writer D.H. Lawrence invited her to move to Taos, Dorothy took him up on the offer and never looked back. Eventually she became a leading figure in Taos, known for her social life as much as her art, which largely featured ceremonies and traditions of the local Pueblo Indians.
This 1966 piece depicts a protective circle of wagon trains illuminated from within, setting up camp for the night. In the background, one can see the mountains of Taos, an enduring symbol of her adopted home.
An artist with a keen sense of her own style and eye for detail, Henriette Wyeth hailed from a famous American art family. Daughter of N.C. Wyeth, sister of Andrew Wyeth and eventually wife of New Mexican artist, Peter Hurd, Henriette was raised in the art world and would make her own mark on it with stunning portraits and florals. This piece features quintessential Henriette Wyeth elements, such as the soft background and wildflowers.
Known for expressive portraits focusing on peoples of the Southwest, Anna Katharine Skeele enjoyed a highly successful career. She was schooled at Olivet College, Pomona College, the California School of Fine Arts, the Académies Julian and Grand Chaumière in Paris, and finally the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. Anna was as talented as she was educated, teaching art in her later career, winning awards and exhibiting in shows until her death in 1963.
Born in Oakland but forever known for her time in New Mexico, Gene Kloss never stepped foot in this state until her honeymoon in 1920. That marked a monumental shift in Gene’s life and career, inspiring her and her husband, poet Phillip Kloss, to eventually settle in Taos. Gene is famous for her dramatic black-and-white prints depicting the landscape and Native cultures she observed. This etching shows an impressive vista overlooking the foothills near the Rio Grande in Gene’s characteristic style.
An Oklahoma native, Laura Robb was first schooled at the Art Student’s Academy in Tulsa. She later studied in New York City under Michael Aviano. Over the course of her career, Laura has perfected her trademark style of vivid florals with effortless brush strokes. Laura is a true master painter, using both soft blending and sharp strokes of color (often with a palette knife) to pull one’s focus to select flowers.
Texas-born sculptor, Glenna Goodacre, nearly became an illustrator for medical textbooks. She shied away from 3D work after a sculpting instructor’s harsh criticism and advice that she quit the medium. But after encouragement from Gallerist Forrest Fenn in Santa Fe, Glenna tried again – creating her first model of her daughter, Jill. Fenn forged the first edition in 1969 and the rest is history. Today, Glenna is known as one of America’s most prolific modern sculptors, with achievements such as the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Irish Memorial in Philadelphia, and the bas-relief of the Sacagawea dollar.
Daughter of famed Santa Clara artist, Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin (Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh, meaning Little Standing Spruce) grew up inspired by her Native culture and, of course, her own mother. Instead of parroting their styles, however, she developed her own, using traditional symbols in tandem with geometric patterns and modern color palettes. In this incredible piece above, Helen’s artistic voice remains clear and distinct even all these decades later.
"Painting was not considered women's work in my time. A woman was supposed to be just a woman, like a housewife and a mother and chief cook. Those were things I wasn't interested in." -Pablita Velarde, 1979
A native of New Mexico, Pablita was one of the first women to attend the Santa Fe Studio School. She was trained in Dunn “flatstyle” painting, which Pablita described as “memory paintings”—works that preserved ways of life that were disappearing. She continued to work with these motifs throughout her career. Known for making her own paints, grinding rocks and minerals to achieve the desired colors, Pablita was not only a pioneer of the art world, but an inspiration for generations of artists.
After graduating from the Pratt Institute in 1919, Barbara Latham worked for a publishing company creating prints for Christmas cards. In 1925, she ventured to Taos, where famed artist, Victor Higgins, introduced her to future husband, artist Howard Cook. Both enjoyed artistic experimentation, working in a variety of mediums and styles throughout their careers. Known for depicting the peoples and traditions of the Southwest in both paintings and prints, Barbara was an influential force in American art. Today, her works are historically valued and sought after by museums across the country.
These pieces and many others are available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For any questions, please email inquiry@matteucci.com or call (505) 982-4631.
The first signs of springtime are upon us in Santa Fe after a long winter. The gallery’s sculpture garden is waking up, turning green, and boosting our spirits along with it.
As the world begins to bloom, there are many pieces in the gallery that remind us of the beauty and excitement spring inevitably brings.
Doug Hyde (b. 1946) -“Spring Arrival” #7/50, bronze, 10 ½ x 5 ½ x 7 ¾”
Known primarily for his works depicting his Native cultural traditions in stone and bronze, Doug Hyde is an artist of broad talents. This bronze rabbit is a highly unique work in the artist’s oeuvre, featuring a unique patina that gives it the appearance of polished stone.
Walt Gonske (b. 1942) -“Iris Spring”, 2004, oil, 36 x 34”
Walt Gonske’s landscapes are often found in remote locations via his mobile studio, dubbed the “paint-mobile”. However, the inspiration for this colorful piece was found in his very own garden, bursting with fresh blooms. It’s no wonder this painting commands such attention with its bold brushstrokes and colors.
JK Inson (b. 1946) - “White Pelican Day”, white marble, 8 ½ x 6 x 7”
Inson is an artist who is prolific in a variety of media from stone carving to oil painting. Carved in his home studio, this solid marble piece features a lily coming into full bloom amidst a bundle of buds. The overall effect of the white marble and the smooth transitions between its elements is purely stunning.
Martin Mooney (b. 1960) -“Daffodils”, 2015, oil/panel, 24 x 20”
Born in Belfast, Ireland, Martin Mooney is an accomplished oil painter who achieves a texture to his paintings that catches the eye immediately. His floral still lifes, often featuring inventive use of a palette knife, nearly jump off the wall with bright colors and mind-boggling smoothness that draws viewers in.
Dan Ostermilller (b. 1956) -“Study For a Friend Indeed”, 1985, #13/30, bronze, 12 x 17 x 9”
President of the National Sculpture Society since 2012 and master sculptor of animals, Dan Ostermiller is a force in the art community. While he works often in monument-size bronze, the gallery is fortunate to have many of his smaller studies, including this pair of nuzzling rabbits. This set of friends is a lovely example of Ostermiller’s work and certainly reminds us that Easter is nearly upon us.
Jill Soukup (b. 1969) - “Spring Scruff”, oil on board, 34 x 16”
Since childhood, Jill Soukup has had a passion for horses and has been drawing them about as long. This foundation in drawing them led to a lifelong pursuit of art, particularly with horses and ranch life as her subject matter. This unique piece shows us a newborn foal, still scruffy and lean, but filled with life and personality. A beautiful reminder of the many miracles this season brings.
Cynthia Inson (b. 1948) -“The Stories They Could Tell”, 2023, oil on board, 14 x 11”
Accomplished plein air and still life painter, Cynthia Inson, resides alongside her husband and fellow artist, JK Inson. This vibrant piece is an example of her enduring interest in floral subjects with strong colors and composition. The crystal goblet in particular yields fascinating reflections and light, easily drawing in the viewer.
These works and many others are currently available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For any questions about the art, please email inquiry@matteucci.com or call us at (505) 982-4631.
The city of Santa Fe is synonymous with art and culture. In fact, it was the first city in the United States dubbed a “Creative City” by UNESCO and is the third largest art market in the country.
But this 400-year-old city wasn’t always famous for art. It’s a reputation that’s only been building for the last century. So why Santa Fe?
Gustave Baumann - “Cordova Plaza” ed. of 200, color wood block, 7 ¾ x 7 ¾”
For hundreds of years, Native artists resided in the Pueblos around Santa Fe developing their own art forms, and after the Gadsden Purchase made the Southwest a US territory, classically-trained artists frequented the region on short visits. Yet in the early 1900s, “Anglo” artists like Carlos Vierra, Warren Rollins, Gerald Cassidy, Sheldon Parsons and others began settling in Santa Fe more permanently.
The light and landscape, better cost of living, colorful and unfamiliar cultures, and dry climate that eased common illnesses were among the top draws. Coincidentally, this was occurring at the same time local Natives and townspeople realized the opportunity for tourism and promoting their own art, architecture and traditions.
Warren Rollins - “Native Portrait” (Untitled) Oil on canvas, 30 x 18”
Henry C. Balink - “Sioux Chief - 1930s Pine Ridge”, oil/linen, 30 x 25”
Much of the groundwork was laid early on by an ambitious archaeologist and member of the Santa Fe City Planning Board, Edgar Lee Hewett. Not only was he instrumental in defining and promoting the “New-Old Santa Fe Style” of architecture, he also spearheaded the founding of the New Mexico Museum of Fine Art in 1917.
Eventually a number of big names moved to Santa Fe, including Gustave Baumann, Robert Henri, John Sloan, Randall Davey, Frank Applegate, B.J.O Nordfeldt, Henry Balink, Andrew Dasburg and others.
Gustave Baumann - “Rio Pecos” #AP/100, 1920, Color wood block, 9 ½ x 11 ¼”
B.J.O. Nordfeldt - “Untitled” (Still Life), oil on canvas, 26 x 38”
By the early 1920s, dedicated social clubs and associations began to form, which led to the founding of the preeminent artist group in Santa Fe– Los Cinco Pintores. These five artists, mostly young and self-taught, sought to develop their skills and forge a reputation together.
It started with Fremont Ellis, the young optometrist and painter from El Paso, and grew to include Will Shuster, Josef Bakos, Walter Mruk and Willard Nash. They quickly found a mentor to help grow their talents: accomplished artist, Albert Herman Schmidt.
Will Shuster - “Self Portrait”, oil on board, 16 x 12”
Young artists also found assistance from the new art museum, which helped with framing, building shipping crates and photographing their works for marketing. The annual exhibitions held at the museum, juried and open to all artists, led to invaluable exposure and patronage.
Fremont Ellis - “Aspens By A Mountain Pond”, oil on canvas, 24 x 30”
Soon the art world flourished in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. Gallerists, curators and patrons flocked to the state to fill their museums and private collections with this desirable new school of American art.
Will Shuster - “San Miguel Church”, etching, 4 x 3”
Willard Clark - “Woman With Child, House & Tree”, wood block print (first printing), 4 ⅞ x 4 ⅞”
The promotional strategy of groups like Los Cinco Pintores was a major success. Their personal reputations grew and many of them became legendary in the area, such as Will Shuster, the eccentric and beloved founder of Zozobra.
Though the group only stayed intact from 1921-1926, their impact on the city would last. They and the artists from the early Santa Fe art colony influenced generations of painters, sculptors and potters. Thus turning Santa Fe into not only a muse, but a mainstay of the global art market.
Fremont Ellis - “Forest Gulch In Spring”, oil on canvas, 25 x 30”
All works in this article are currently available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe. For questions or inquiries, please email inquiry@matteucci.com or call us at (505) 982-4631.
Sources: https://www.canyonroadarts.com/founding-the-santa-fe-art-colony/
Nedra Matteucci Galleries - The Finest Historical and Contemporary Art.
