Native Americans dancing, offering to the Great Spirit, Gitche Manitou

This hand-colored copperplate engraving titled “Manière dont les Prêtres Caribes soufflent le Courage” (The way Carib Priests blow courage) depicts a ceremonial ritual performed by t...

The engraving provided is titled "The Rejoicings of the Mexicans, at the beginning of the Age." It was included in Portlock’s "New Collection of Voyages and Travels," published in 17...

Title: "Ritual Dance in Brazil" Description: This original copper engraving from Arnoldus Montanus' "Die Unbekannte Neue Welt oder Beschreibung des Welt-teils Amerika und des Sud-La...

The print is from "Il Costume Antico e Moderno" by Giulio Ferrario, specifically depicting the "Le Lullunge" feast in Senegambia. This festival is illustrated as part of the extensive series detailing the customs, costumes, and daily life of people from different parts of the world. The illustration captures a lively and culturally significant dance that forms part of the "Le Lullunge" celebrations, showcasing traditional attire and communal participation, which are central to the event in Senegambian culture. The illustration not only serves as a vibrant representation of the dance and celebration but also as an ethnographic record from the early 19th century, emphasizing the richness of Senegambian traditions. The term "Senegambia" historically referred to a region in West Africa that encompassed parts of what are today known as Senegal and The Gambia. This area is known for its rich cultural heritage, including vibrant festivals and communal celebrations like the one depicted in the illustration. The "Le Lullunge" feast, as illustrated in Giulio Ferrario's "Il Costume Antico e Moderno," captures the traditional dances and social practices of the peoples in this West African region. This original antique hand-colored print depicts a vibrant scene of Native African dance, possibly part of a ceremonial or ritualistic activity. The individuals are animatedly engaged in dance, with their limbs dynamically positioned, suggesting vigorous movement. Each figure is adorned with elaborate feathered headdresses and carries feathers or other items as part of their dance. These accessories likely have cultural significance, possibly denoting status, role in the ceremony, or spiritual symbolism. The attire of the dancers is simple yet functional for their vigorous activity, consisting of skirts that allow for ease of movement. Their outfits are decorated with additional elements that may indicate tribal affiliation or personal achievement. The dancers are barefoot, connecting them physically and symbolically to the earth, which is a common aspect in many African cultural practices emphasizing a connection to nature. The setting of the dance is outdoors, under a large tree, indicating the importance of natural surroundings for the event. This could be a communal gathering place, chosen for its significance within their community or for its natural beauty and tranquility. Overall, this image captures a moment of cultural expression, highlighting the importance of dance in Native African traditions as a form of communication, celebration, or spiritual practice. The detail and color used in the depiction aim to convey the vibrancy and energy of the scene, reflecting the artist’s perspective on these cultural practices. In more detail: From: ‘Il Costume Antico e Moderno …, l’America.’ , by Giulio Ferrario, published in Milan in 21 volumes by Antonio Fortunato Stella in 1827 (first edition, second issue). The 17 volumes of the first issue were published sequentially between c. 1815/1816 until 1826 after first being issued in 143 weekly installments. The work appeared in Italian and French. Smaller size editions with smaller much less elaborate plates were published in Florence (1823-38), Naples (1831-42) and even a 16mo. editon in Livorno (1830). Original blindstamp at bottom right image. The sources used for this work are wide. Made by ‘Gallo Gallina’ after ‘Giulio Ferrario’. Giulio Ferrario was founder of the ‘Societa Tipografica de Classici Italiani’ and served as the director of the Braidense National Library in Milan, Italy. Artists that worked on this monumental work are: Gallo Gallina, D.K. Bonatti, A. Biasioli, L. Rossi, Paolo Fumagalli, Gaetano Zancon (1771-1816), G. Bigatti, C. Bramati, G. Gallo, C. Bottiglia, G. Castellini, Antonio Rancati (1784-1816), Vittorio Raineri, Sydney Parkinson...

Ira Moskowitz, 'Navajo Courtship Dance (Squaw Dance)', lithograph, 1946, edition 30, Czestochowski 161. Signed and titled in pencil. Signed and dated in the stone, lower left. A fine, richly-inked impression, on cream wove paper; the full sheet with margins (7/16 to 2 3/4 inches). Pale mat line, otherwise in excellent condition. Matted to museum standards, unframed. Image size 11 13/16 x 14 13/16 inches (300 x 376 mm); sheet size 13 1/16 x 20 1/8 inches (332 x 511 mm). ABOUT THE ARTIST Ira Moskowitz was born in Galicia, Poland, in 1912, emigrating with his family to New York in 1927. He enrolled at the Art Student's League and studied there from 1928-31. In 1935, Moskowitz traveled to Paris and then lived until 1937 in what is now Israel. He returned to the United States in 1938 to marry artist Anna Barry in New York. The couple soon visited Taos and Santa Fe in New Mexico, returning for extended periods until 1944, when they moved there permanently, staying until 1949. During this especially productive New Mexico period, Moskowitz received a Guggenheim fellowship. His work was inspired by the New Mexico landscape and the state’s three cultures (American Southwest, Native American, and Mexican). He focused on Pueblo and Navajo life, producing an extensive oeuvre of authentic American Indian imagery. He and Anna also visited and sketched across the border in Old Mexico. While in the Southwest, Moskowitz flourished as a printmaker while continuing to produce oils and watercolors. Over 100 of Moskowitz’s works depicting Native American ceremonies were used to illustrate the book American Indian Ceremonial Dances by John Collier, Crown Publishers, New York, 1972. After leaving the Southwest, printmaking remained an essential medium for the artist while his focus changed to subject matter celebrating Judaic religious life and customs. These works were well received early on, and Moskowitz was content to stay with them the rest of his life. From 1963 until 1966, Moskowitz lived in Paris, returning to New York City in 1967, where he made his permanent home until he died in 2001. Shortly before his death, Zaplin-Lampert Gallery of Santa Fe staged an exhibition of the artist's works, December 2000 - January 2001. Other one-person shows included the 8th Street Playhouse, New York, 1934; Houston Museum, 1941; and the San Antonio Museum, 1941. The artist’s work was included in exhibitions at the Art Students League, Art Institute of Chicago, Philadelphia Print Club, College Art Association (promotes excellence in scholarship and teaching), and the International Exhibition of Graphic Arts (shown at MOMA, 1955). Moskowitz’s lithographs of...

'I Messicani celebrano il principio del secolo' / 'I selvaggi messicani celebrano il fine del secolo' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popo...

Apache Mountain Spirit Dancers, lithograph, Apache, Allan Houser Haozous black Hand colored original lithograph edition by Allan Houser hand printed in Santa Fe, New Mexico Allan Houser (Haozous), Chiricahua Apache (1914-1994) Selected Collections Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France * “They’re Coming”, bronze Dahlem Museum, Berlin, Germany Japanese Royal Collection, Tokyo, Japan “The Eagle”, black marble commissioned by President William J. Clinton United States Mission to the United Nations, New York City, NY *"Offering of the Sacred Pipe”, monumental bronze by Allan Houser © 1979 Presented to the United States Mission to the United Nations as a symbol of World Peace honoring the native people of all tribes in these United States of America on February 27, 1985 by the families of Allan and Anna Marie Houser, George and Thelma Green and Glenn and Sandy Green in New York City. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian, Washington, DC * Portrait of Geronimo, bronze National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian, Washington, D.C. * “Buffalo Dance Relief”, Indiana limestone...

Apache Mountain Spirit Dancers, lithograph, black & white, Allan Houser hand pulled black and white lithograph edition printed in Santa Fe, New Mexico L...