Tour: Folk Arts of the Spanish Southwest from the Index of American Design

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Overview

During the early history of the southwestern United States, a folk art developed that was dependent on two major sources: Old World Spanish tradition and native Indian sensibilities. The areas that comprised what can be called the "Spanish Southwest" were California and New Mexico. By 1610, Santa Fe, New Mexico, was the capital of an area that encompassed most of the southwest region other than California. It was not until the middle of the eighteenth century, however, that Spain took decisive action in occupying the area that is now California. There are three broad historical periods related to the Spanish Southwest: the Spanish period until Mexican Independence in 1821; the period of the Mexican Republic from 1823 to 1846; and the American period beginning in 1848 when Mexico ceded these territories to the United States.

Captions

1.
1	Randolph F. Miller, Wall and Ceiling Decorations, and Holy Water Font; Restoration Drawing, 1936
2	Edward Jewett, Wall Painting, c. 1940
3	Geoffrey Holt, Restoration Drawing: Wall Decoration Over Doorway, Facade of Mission-House, c. 1937
4	William Kieckhofel, Iron Grille, 1941
5	Raymond E. Noble, Water Spout, Sandstone, 1939
6	Raymond E. Noble, Water Spout, 1939
2.
7	Maude Valle, Santo, 1936
8	E. Boyd, Panel from Altar Piece of San Antonio, c. 1936
9	Margery Parish, Santo (St. Michael), c. 1939
10	Carl O'Bergh, Retablo, c. 1939
11	E. Boyd, Retabla of the Trinity, c. 1936
12	Ranka S. Woods, Santo, c. 1937
3.
13	Carl O'Bergh, Bulto (St. Ignatius), c. 1938
14	Polly Duncan, Nuestra Senora, 1938
15	Agnes Sims, Bulto of Santiago, 1955
16	Eldora P. Lorenzini, Bulto, 1938
17	Hal Blakeley, Chair (Arm), 1941
18	Majel G. Claflin, "Casa en Mesita" or Chest on Stand, c. 1939
4.
19	E. Boyd, Chest of Native Pine Painted in Oil, 1935/1942
20	Gordena Jackson, Indian Basket, 1935/1942
21	Ethel Dougan, Saddle Blanket, c. 1930
22	Syrena Swanson, Ecclesiastical Vestment (front view), c. 1940
23	Syrena Swanson, Ecclesiastical Vestment (back view), c. 1940
24	Rose Campbell-Gerke, Saddle, 1935/1942
5.
25	Rose Campbell-Gerke, Inlaid Spur, c. 1937