No. 14 1904

This watercolor titled No. 14, Navajo, was created by an anonymous artist in 1904. It depicts a Navajo textile. As a cultural object, Navajo weaving embodies the complex interplay of trade, adaptation, and resistance. These textiles emerged as a significant form of artistic and economic expression, particularly for Navajo women. Passed down through generations, weaving is a tradition deeply intertwined with Navajo identity, spirituality, and social structures. The commercialization of weaving in the late 19th and early 20th centuries meant the creation of pieces such as this for a non-Native market. What does it mean to represent a textile in watercolor? The inscription ‘Presented to Edward and Jane Oct. 10, 1966’ suggests this artwork functioned as a gift, marking personal connections. This watercolor and others like it offer a window into the ongoing negotiation of cultural representation, artistic expression, and intercultural exchange. They invite us to reflect on the complex dynamics of identity and the power of art to embody both personal and communal histories.