Plate 44: Painted Chest Design: From Portfolio "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico" 1935 - 1942

This Spanish Colonial design of New Mexico, likely made in the 20th century, depicts a painted chest design with gouache on paper. It’s incredible to consider this was one plate from a whole portfolio! The flat black background really makes the other colors pop, and the artist's process feels direct, almost intuitive. I'm drawn to the charming imperfections in the bird and floral elements. The palette is so contained and unified. I love the way the artist uses simplified shapes and bold outlines, like the little zig zags around the border of the design. These aren't academic decisions; they're about feeling, about making something alive. I think of my own work, and how I use color relationships to get a similar feeling of vibration and energy. It reminds me a bit of early Matisse, but without the self-consciousness. There is an honesty here in the folk tradition that really touches me.