Santo Domingo Corn Dance 1929

Margaret Bruton made this woodcut print titled "Santo Domingo Corn Dance." The image shows a religious dance of the Kewa Pueblo people in New Mexico. Consider the context in which this image was made: a period when the US government was actively suppressing Native American cultural practices. Bruton’s image stands as a reminder of the resilience and continuity of indigenous traditions. The Kewa Pueblo, also known as Santo Domingo, have a long history of resistance to colonial rule, and their cultural practices have always been central to their identity. This image offers a glimpse into the ways in which the Kewa Pueblo have maintained their traditions in the face of enormous social upheaval. Historians consult archives, oral histories, and material culture to interpret art. We look at images not as isolated objects, but as products of specific social conditions. The meaning of art is contingent on its context.